Food Industry Bitten by Lobby's Success

AP Enterprise: Industry eases rules for tracking foodborne illness; bitten by lobbying success By LARRY MARGASAK Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON July 25, 2008 (AP) One of the worst outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. is teaching the food industry the truth of the adage, "Be careful what you wish for because you might get it." Officials are now examining whether jalapeno peppers are at the root of a widespread salmonella outbreak. But has lobbying success slowed the food safety investigation? The industry pressured the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press. The White House also killed a plan to require the industry... [read full story]