CONGRESS LOOKS TO THE AMERICAN TABLE AMID QUESTIONS ON FOOD SAFETY
By KEITH SCHNEIDER, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: June 22, 1987
An onslaught of studies describing the extent of contamination of the nation’s food supply by pesticides, animal drugs and bacteria is giving Congress political indigestion.
Five authoritative reports published since late last year by the General Accounting Office, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Academy of Sciences have provided Congress with more convincing evidence than ever before that modern food production, and the inability of Federal agencies to adequately inspect food and detect toxic substances, may be jeopardizing Americans’ health.
Congressional leaders have responded with a spate of new bills intended to improve the purity and safety of food. But some lawmakers privately grumble that despite the new sense of urgency on Capitol Hill there are no assurances that the proposed legislation will pass. Lobbies Are Influential
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