The FDA should do more to alert us to food recalls quickly
Major food recalls from the last several months showcase the weaknesses in our food recall system: It often takes too long for companies and regulators to notify grocers, consumers, restaurants and food packagers, particularly ones that can cause serious illness or death. And once grocers find out, they aren’t required to contact customers who may have already purchased contaminated products. While many stores do quickly notify customers, the practices aren’t uniform and aren’t always timely. Meanwhile, people continue to get sick. The FDA needs to implement all of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was signed into law in 2011, to better protect consumers.