The Food Safety Fiasco

During the last days of the lame duck Pelosi congress, House resolution 2749 and Senate Bill 510 passed the Food Safety Modernization Act. The new law includes both small food producers and large producers together in another regulatory expanding initiative.

Like many of the gun laws that are passed by the federal government, the only people and businesses that are hurt are those who follow the rules. Small farms are usually the most safety conscious with the food they produce primarily because their family also consumes that same food. This naturally builds in a line of quality control and if there is a break out of food borne illness from such a source, it is usually contained on a local or regional basis.

Most of the major breaks out of food borne illnesses have occurred with the large food manufacturers. But as usual, the federal government did not make a distinction between “small” family farms and large agribusinesses. So if you grow ship and pack locally, under this law you are now no different from a large agribusiness that ships nationally and internationally. It means that a rain down of new regulations from our omnipotent federal government will now be burdened by the small family owned businesses.

To add insult to injury, many state and local public health and sanitation laws are already in place to regulate small food producers. Furthermore, S.510 will require small producers to undergo the same regulations that the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP system) imposed on large companies. This would add on layers of paperwork and inspection fee that could potentially put some small producers out of business and discourage those who would like to start a farm.

Many of the food companies I deal with are small and medium sized family owned business. They run incredibly safe and efficient food producing operations. They also undergo intense state and local safety regulations and inspections. But once again, the federal government distinguishes no one and lumps everyone in the same category. Is this not the same treatment that happens with gun laws, immigration laws, and small businesses in general?

There is no doubt that keeping food borne illnesses real and must be eradicated before they reach the public. However, the heavy hand of the government does not distinguish between the tried and true methods of what works and what doesn’t. Instead, just add more laws and regulations…which already exist in most cases. It’s a wonder anyone would want to start a small business that actually produces something. And with that, I’ll see you on the road.