On the heels of the largest product recall in U.S. history, a new survey reveals 61% of adults feel the nation’s food recall process is only fair or poor.

The survey by Harris Interactive shows 73% say they are as equally concerned about food safety as the war on terror while 93% of adults suggest that food manufacturers, growers or suppliers should be held legally responsible when individuals are fatally sickened by tainted food.

In addition, 82% of adults believe that the food industry should be required to follow international standards on food safety.
 
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Milwaukee-based American Society of Quality from February 25-27, among 2,078 people ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

The survey indicates that 80% of adults believe that the federal government should select the agencies that inspect the facilities of food manufacturers. However, only 48% noted that they actually trust the government’s ability to ensure the safety of food products. Also, only half believe the federal government does a good job enforcing laws that ensure our nation’s food supply is safe.

Overall, 93% of adults are aware of instances of food recalls due to health and safety concerns in the last three years. This is up from a 2007 Harris Poll showing 79% were aware of food recall occurrences in the last three years.
 
For more information, go to www.asq.org.