Trust in the U.S. government’s ability to ensure food safety has hit a low point, as noted in a recent Gallup survey released on Monday.
The findings reveal that only 53% of Americans have a “significant amount” of trust in federal regulators tasked with maintaining a safe food supply. This is a notable decline, especially when compared to the nearly 70% confidence rate recorded between 2007 and 2019. For the first time last year, confidence dropped below the 60% mark.
The survey indicates a drop in trust from Republicans, who now sit at 41% this year, while Democrats’ confidence has notably decreased as well. Just 74% of Democrats indicated trust in federal food safety oversight in 2024, down from 48% this year.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., director of Health and Human Services, has made food safety a focus as part of a broader federal health initiative but has also implemented cuts across the government’s budget, raising further concerns about the FDA. Officials maintain that these cuts won’t reduce the number of inspectors or regulators in the food safety sector.
The FDA has faced ongoing challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic, struggling to enhance testing capabilities and relying on external contractors to fulfill inspector roles, as reported by the Associated Press in April.
This year, the FDA issued around 100 safety alerts and recalls for food products. They’ve encouraged food industry leaders to improve communication regarding safety concerns, as detailed in letters sent last month.
According to FDA Commissioner Marty McCurry, transparency in food safety and nutrition is critical for reducing foodborne illnesses and establishing a foundation for lifelong health, especially regarding chemical contaminants in foods meant for infants and young children.
The Gallup poll surveyed 1,002 adults across the U.S. and the District of Columbia from July 7 to 21, with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
