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This is an great, brief summary of the problems which must be solved to streamline food safety regulation.

This issue is of great public concern, most especially since the latest salmonella outbreak. This salmonella outbreak has been associated with the deaths of nine and also has sickened pets who consumed brands containing the contaminated peanut product.

According to the CDC Investigation Report:

• Case count is 654 in 44 states with latest confirmed, most recent reported illness beginning on February 3, 2009
• The outbreak is continuing, though the numbers of new cases have declined modestly since December. Many recently ill persons report eating peanut butter and other recalled peanut-containing products.
• FDA and CDC are concerned that illness will continue to occur if people eat recalled peanut-containing products that are still on their shelves at home.
• Consumers should check at home for recalled peanut butter containing products and discard them.
• Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are NOT on the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) recall list.

NPR

(Note: Audio for this story available at 7 p.m. today, EST)

…”"Food safety is regulated by about a dozen federal agencies implementing about 35 laws,” she said. “It’s filled with gaps and cracks and failures to fully cover the problems that we’re seeing in the food supply today.”

Source: NPR, February 24, 2009

Source:  CDC Investigation Report, February 19, 2009 (Latest Update)