USDA: food safety is in good shape

Despite being faced with an alarming amount of food recalls and reports of sometimes fatal food borne illnesses such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeriosis, and Botulism this year, the head of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ed Schafer, has said that food safety in the US is doing just fine.

This comes as consumers are facing constant reports of federal government announcements about such recalls.

Some of these recalls originate from the largest meat processors and grocery chains in the US.

The latest recall that took place was by Nebraska Beef Limited, recalling millions of pounds that are linked an ongoing multi-state E. coli outbreak.

This week also saw Whole Food markets recalling ground beef produced from large cuts of prime meat from the same processor.

As of Tuesday, approximately a dozen people on the East Coast became ill after consuming food from the high-end natural food supplier.

With consumers facing these recall situations, according to reports Schafer has said that the number of contaminated products has declined in recent years and the situation is improving.

“I don’t believe that, from a USDA standpoint, we need to increase the number of inspectors or change the testing requirements,” Shafer said.