Big Food Company Recalls Almost Nine Million Pounds Of Beef That Were Never Inspected | ThinkProgress

More on the Rancho Food Corp recall.

The massive recall comes just one month after Rancho Food Corp. had to recall another 40,000 pounds worth of meat that hadn’t been inspected. There have been no reported illnesses linked with the products to date.

Food recalls are alarmingly common in America. Foodborne illnesses cost the U.S. about $152 billion per year, sickens 48 million Americans annually, and kills 3,000 people ever year. The proliferation of massive, national food companies such as Cargill Beef also makes recalls tricky, since products from a tainted batch may be shipped all across the country.

Unfortunately, food safety inspections are stymied by a significant lack of funding and insufficient staff. Although President Obama signed the largest overhaul of America’s food safety regimen in 70 years into law in 2010, officials are concerned that the planned changes won’t become a reality without more appropriations.

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Funding cuts to food safety agencies have continued despite the fact that the number of foodborne illnesses has actually increased over the last several years. Cuts included in the federal budget sequester are expected to reduce the number of food inspectors at meat and poultry plants by about 600 people.

Big Food Company Recalls Almost Nine Million Pounds Of Beef That Were Never Inspected | ThinkProgress