Senator Questions USDA's Role in Egg Recall

The Associated Press reports that Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack "asking whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture had received complaints" and also asking what was done to address the complaints, in reference to the numerous food safety violation recently found at two Iowa egg farms that have been the subject of the recent egg recall.

Grassley also asked whether there was a system in place for workers to report problems.  USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver said "that the agency is working on a response to Grassley's letter."

"USDA employees at the farm inspect eggs and grade them but are not there to inspect for food safety issues."  The FDA has authority over food safety issues and an agreement with the FDA allows USDA to "report unsanitary or other conditions that would require them to withhold the voluntary grading service."

The two Iowa farms have recalled "about 550 million eggs that were linked to about 1,400 illnesses nationwide."

To read the Associated Press story, click here.

Posted: 09/09/2010