Letters: Farm inspectors aren’t bullies
Re “Farmers caught up in food safety net,” Feb. 23
Contrary to what an anecdote in this article implies, the Food Safety Modernization Act does not give Food and Drug Administration inspectors the power to impose fines on organic or other farmers. Plus, the vast majority of farms — estimated at about 80% — are exempt from the requirements of the new law.
That said, dangerous bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli present in chicken and cow manure certainly don’t know whether they’re on a massive agribusiness field or a small organic operation. But farmers can make manure safer by composting.
The FDA has a duty to protect public health and should consider the best available science in setting new produce safety rules. Impacted farmers enjoy the same right that consumers do to comment on the FDA’s new proposal, and should do so.
Meanwhile, casting FDA inspectors as bullies wielding exaggerated powers does not advance the public interest in providing safer produce.
Caroline Smith DeWaal
Washington
The writer is the director of food safety at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
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