Americans Want Tougher Food-Safety Rules

WASHINGTONNinety percent of American voters would support the federal government adopting additional food-safety measures, and 64 percent believe that imported foods are often or sometimes unsafe, according to a new Pew-commissioned poll conducted by Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies.

The nationwide survey was conducted June 29-July 3, 2009, and polled 1,005 likely voters. Overall, 58 percent of voters are worried about bacterial contamination of the food supply with about one-third saying they worry a great deal.

A total of 83 percent surveyed said the federal government should be responsible for ensuring that food is safe to eat, and 89 percent support the federal government enacting new measures to better protect people from getting sick from eating contaminated food. Additionally, 91 percent favor annual or semi-annual government inspections of facilities that process food that is at a high risk of contamination.

For too long the Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for the safety of over 80 percent of the foods we eat, has not had adequate resources or power to protect Americans from dangers in the food supply, said Erik Olson, director of Food and Consumer Product Safety for the Pew Health Group. This poll reflects a strong belief among most Americans that a healthy, nutritious diet is important, and they want to have confidence that their food is safe.