The head of the U-S Food and Drug Administration says he needs more food inspectors. Just one percent of imported food is inspected today, and Dr. Bernard Schwetz, the F-D-A’s acting commissioner, says that’s got to change. He says they know what comes in with the computer tracking system, but they don’t have enough hands on inspections.
Schwetz says Americans now insist on fresh produce at all times of year, which has boosted food imports.
Schwetz is in Des Moines for World Food Prize events. He’s urging Americans not to panic. He says people need to be educated how to respond intelligently.
Schwetz says taking antibiotics unnecessarily builds up resistance so the drugs won’t work when you need ’em. Schwetz made his comments on Iowa Public Television.