CHAPTER 10:

“WHY DON’T WE DEMAND A HIGHER

STANDARD OF FOOD SAFETY?”
Important points
1. We do have laws and regulations on food safety but don’t
have a food safety culture.
2. Many food producers give lip service to food safety
3. Problem of US government in managing food safety
– There are some overlaps between laws of administered agencies

4. Lobbying and donations allows food companies to

voluntarily participate in government safety investigations.
Important points
5. Lack of public outrage.
6. The government can’t do much about producers because of
corruption or lack of resources, so they shift responsibility
for food safety to consumers.
7. Many research are funded by private food companies >
conflicts about research results
8. Food safety is governed by politics more than public
health.
Linking to Vietnam
• Food safety was one of the two most pressing issues for
Vietnamese people (more important than education, health
care and governance)
• Sources of food unsafety: Soil and water polution due to
industrial development and poor agricultural practices.
• High use of chemical agricultural inputs, poorly regulated
or illegal imports, lack of traceability and cross-
contamination are challenges facing by small-scale farmers
Linking to Vietnam
• Food-borne illness is a common issue in Vietnam.
Linking to Vietnam
• Vietnam has national laws and regulations for food safety
but further improvements are needed in food safety
improvement.
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