Food Safety System Filled with Gaps and Overlaps
An estimated 76 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses every year, with at least 325,000 getting sick enough to end up in the hospital. The number of salmonella cases for one strain last year was one-third higher than a decade ago.
"It's so frustrating to know that nothing ever gets done," said Jeff Almer. Almer's mother died two years ago after getting salmonella poisoning from peanut butter.
"To find out that it was something that could have been prevented, you feel cheated, you feel angry," Almer said.
The bewildering food safety system is filled with gaps and overlaps. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports 15 federal agencies spend more than $2 billion annually to enforce at least 30 different laws. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees meat and poultry. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees everything else.