Friend –

The infant formula crisis is unconscionable. Families across the nation are struggling to feed their children, in part because the FDA failed to act when it first learned of food safety violations at an Abbott Nutrition infant formula plant.

To be clear: Abbott Nutrition is to blame for the presence in their infant formula of Cronobacter, a germ that can cause serious, sometimes deadly, infections in newborns. But the FDA waited crucial months to inspect the plant after first learning of a potential infection – months when the crisis could have been averted.

The infant formula emergency is just the tip of the iceberg of the FDA’s failure. Since 2011, food pathogen outbreaks have been on the rise. From organic strawberries to Jif peanut butter, dangerous outbreaks are rapidly spreading throughout our food system. But the FDA’s inspections of food facilities have fallen! The FDA also recently gutted a rule requiring farmers to test irrigation water for pathogens.

Congress needs to hold the FDA responsible for these failures and ensure the agency upholds its duty to protect Americans from deadly food pathogens. EWG is fighting for safer food, but we need your help. Can you take a quick survey to help us formulate our plans?

Thanks for your feedback, friend.

– EWG

P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling to find infant formula, check out this tip sheet from the American Academy of Pediatrics.