USDA Undersecretary Richard Raymond talks “small” (Reuters photo)
Despite having lots more money than the FDA to inspect far fewer products, the USDA doesn’t think there needs to be a major overhaul of the nation’s food-safety system. Many in Washington think that, in light of the many outbreaks and recalls recently, the USDA’s inspection system should be combined with the FDA’s to prevent costly overlaps. (They actually inspect different parts of the same frozen pizza, or so the story goes.)
According to Reuters, Undersecretary Richard Raymond, speaking at a “Food Summit” in Chicago, said, “We feel that sometimes small is better, is quicker, swifter, more nimble.” It’s not clear what he’s referring to when he talks small, certainly not the USDA.