A new report by the American Association for Justice (formerly known as Association of
Trial Lawyers of America) concludes that the food industry’s drive
for profits over safety has fueled a series of illness outbreaks and that the
civil justice system remains consumers’ last and best line of defines.
“American consumers expect and deserve safe food. Yet, time and again,
food producers have cut corners on food safety knowing full well that tainted
products cause serious illness or even death,” the association says.
“Cutting corners puts profits over people and that’s unforgivable when
it comes to our food supply.
“Parents should never have to be worry about the safety of the peanut
butter or ice cream they feed their children,” said association president Larry
Tawwater.
“Because regulators are underfunded and understaffed, it is the civil
justice system that provides the accountability necessary to safeguard our food
supply.”
Dr. Doug Powell, food safety communications expert, says on his blog
today that “every year, 48 million people fall sick, 128,000 are hospitalized,
and at least 3,000 die from foodborne illness, costing the nation approximately
$77 billion.
“Recalls in 2015 have surged compared to 2014 rates. In one of the most
recent high-profile outbreaks, three people died after consuming Blue Bell ice
cream contaminated with listeria.
“The company reportedly knew as early as 2013 that it had listeria in
one of its plants. The outbreak is the most recent of the ‘10 worst outbreaks’
chronicled in the new report.
“If your food supply begins with corporate run factory farms, it begins
in a system that prioritizes corporate profits over public health,” Jessica
Culpepper, food safety & health attorney for Public Justice, said on
today’s call.
Powell asks “are not small growers charging ridiculous amounts for
boutique food with dubious health claims also profit-driven?”
