1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

The decision to end routine food safety inspections by the FDA poses a significant risk to public health and food security. Regular inspections are crucial for identifying potential hazards, enforcing safety standards, and preventing foodborne illnesses that can have severe consequences. Moving this responsibility entirely to state and local authorities raises concerns about inconsistent oversight, lack of resources, and conflicts of interest that could jeopardize consumer protection. As a concerned citizen, I urge you to prioritize safeguarding the nation's food supply by maintaining comprehensive federal inspections. The FDA's oversight role is vital, especially for products distributed across state lines. While collaboration with state agencies may be beneficial, completely outsourcing routine inspections could undermine food safety protocols and public trust. Foodborne diseases already cause significant health and economic burdens each year. Weakening inspection measures would only exacerbate these issues and put the well-being of millions at risk. I implore you to reconsider this plan and ensure that the FDA retains its critical inspection responsibilities to uphold rigorous food safety standards nationwide. We don't want to make Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" relevant again.