Eat, Drink, & Be Wary: How Unsafe Is Our Food?

Veteran journalist Duncan demonstrates that fears about food safety in the U.S. are not unfounded. Bit by bit, he examines %E2%80%9Cour enormous food safety problems,%E2%80%9D the reasons why the government has failed to protect consumers, and the consequences of such lax oversight. Contamination can affect every %E2%80%9Cphase of our food chain, from the wheat and corn fields, grazing cattle, slaughterhouses, egg farms, and dairies to our oceans and bays.%E2%80%9D Meanwhile, global imports generally do not receive proper or sufficient inspection, either. The FDA, for example, inspects less than two percent of foods shipped from China (and more than half of Chinese food processing and packaging firms fail that country%E2%80%99s own safety inspections). Chapters on items such as produce, poultry, and eggs highlight similar themes. According to Duncan, the American government drags its feet and has kept secret public information about enforcement, closures, and seizures of food processors, protecting big businesses at the public%E2%80%99s expense. Subsequent discussions on milk, seafood, and processed meats strike cautionary tones as well. Though not the most optimistic%E2%80%94or appetizing%E2%80%94volume on modern-day food production, Duncan%E2%80%99s work is comprehensive and readers concerned with the safety and reliability of their foods will appreciate his efforts. (Jan.)