As the first Senator from New York on the Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand declares food safety at the top of her legislative agenda, noting "I have not been in Washington very long, but I've been there long enough to be shocked by how antiquated some of our laws have become." With foodborne illnesses rising and almost 5,000 Americans dying annually from tainted food, century-old food safety laws demand immediate overhaul. "Believe it or not, in 2010 America, food is still going straight to our kitchens, our school cafeterias and our restaurants without being properly tested. I find that unconscionable."
Gillibrand introduced the E. Coli Eradication Act requiring plants producing ground beef cuts and trimmings to test meat before grinding and again before components are ground together. "Our families shouldn't be playing Russian roulette every time they eat a hamburger." She also introduced legislation to regulate six unregulated E. coli strains (non-O157 STECS) proven to cause approximately 36,700 illnesses, 1,100 hospitalizations and 30 deaths annually. Current law forces testing only for E. coli O157:H7, leaving six confirmed toxic strains unregulated. Despite overwhelming evidence, "the meat industry is pushing back on this legislation." Marler praised her efforts in a blog post "taking their statement apart line by line. I could not have put it better myself." Gillibrand acknowledges the fight ahead: "I know the meat industry is going to fight my common sense legislation tooth and nail but I pledge to you that I will not give up on this. Not when it comes to the safety of our children and our families. It's just too important."
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