But in rare instances, a processor my not cooperate, or may disregard about product safety. I think that to ensure your protection, that decision must be up to the Secretary. Food safety is a common-sense issue. Currently, the Secretary of Agriculture has the power to levy civil fines to protect circus animals, but not to protect your food. The Food Safety Enforcement Enhancement Act will give the Secretary of Agriculture the commonsense authority to recall unsafe meat and poultry, and to fine processors who intentionally try to cut corners and put you at risk.
Food safety is a family issue.
Illness from food results in lost income, medical costs, lost time for parents and children, and sometimes very serious medical consequences. Currently, the only power the Secretary of Agriculture has to protect meat and poultry products from bad production practices is to shut down a plant entirely, sending home workers who are not directly responsible. For these reasons, I introduced, and believe Congress must support, S.1264, giving the Secretary of Agriculture the power to ensure that Americans will enjoy the safest possible food supply. The Burden of Foodborne Illness Each year, millions of Americans suffer illnesses from food, and 9,000 if these victims die. The costs of foodborne illness, including medical costs and lost wages, are in the billions of dollars every year.