Improving the Safety of Imported Food

Imported food is a substantial and increasing share of the American diet. According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), food imported from more than 150 countries and territories now represents 15% of the overall U.S. food supply, including 60% of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80% of seafood. Moreover, the consumption of imported goods is on the upswing.

But concerns about the safety of imported food have been growing. In 2008, two outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning affecting nearly 1,500 p…