Where Does Our Food Really Come From and is it Safe to Eat? HDNet's 'Dan Rather Reports' Investigates

'Dan Rather Reports' takes an in-depth look into the safety of America's food supply and the current FDA restrictions that some believe are sorely lacking - TONIGHT, November 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET

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Nov 16, 2010, 10:57 ET

DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight's "Dan Rather Reports" presents an investigation into the safety of America's food supply in light of the recent egg recall that affected millions. The rise of food recalls have led many to question not only where our food comes from, but if it is safe to eat.

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Recalls from spinach and peppers to peanut butter and eggs affect thousands nationwide. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control 325,000 people a year will be hospitalized by food borne illnesses, and 5,000 will die. This past summer, more than 1600 people were made ill from half a billion bad eggs produced at two farms with ties to the same man – Jack DeCoster.

Some believe the current limitations on the FDA help to perpetuate unsanitary factory conditions that often lead to farms selling tainted food nationwide. Others believe that the recalls are a result of agriculture becoming industrialized over time and a few key multinational companies controlling the industry and producing large quantities of food, jeopardizing quality for global distribution.

It's been more than 70 years since any new food legislation was passed; however, Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan, has co-sponsored a bill that would, for the first time, give the Food and Drug Administration the lead role in overseeing the safety of the Nation's food. It would also give the agency the ability to order a recall. Now, the government has to ask a producer, like egg farmer Jack DeCoster, to voluntarily recall tainted food.

The issue of food safety is complex, and while there has been some progress over the years, many feel there is a long road ahead to ensure that consumers have access to food that is safe to eat. And while food safety is a bi-partisan interest and the bill easily passed in the House, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn stopped it from passing in the Senate as he believes the bill "is not fixing the underlying problem."

"Dan Rather Reports: Shell Game" premieres on HDNet, Tuesday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore at 11:00 p.m. ET.

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