For two years, imported raspberries contaminated with a parasite made thousands of people sick, and tainted strawberries grown in Mexico showed up in the school lunch program, sickening hundreds of school children. In response, the Clinton administration asked Congress to give FDA the authority to go to foreign countries to see how the imported food was being produced. Again, Congress did nothing. Again, Congress failed to act. Even the Clinton administration's request for new food-safety funding to enhance inspection, research, and education at first met a tepid response.
Food safety is truly a kitchen-table issue for the American public.
I hope that the next Congress will complete the work that needs to be done if Americans are to have safe food, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of the year. T-Stick disposable thermometers indicate above or below 160 F, and do not reach the high temperature needed to test whether a turkey is done. 7 Kitchen Thermometers , p. 7. 8 Kitchen Thermometers , p. 9 Kitchen Thermometers , p. 7.