Opponents to the view of increasing inspection standards and strengthening the USDA's enforcement powers have often argued that the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service does not need additional enforcement authority. They focus specifically on the departments request for the authority to mandate product recalls, to withdraw inspection services from companies that they believe have repeatedly violated regulations, and to impose civil penalties upon companies that fail to comply with the laws (Testimony of Gary Jay Kushner). Opponents claim that by granting the USDA this much power there will be a potential for administrative abuse and that it would be contrary to sound public policy. The strong point to there argument however is that under both the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act, it is illegal to sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation in commerce any food product that is adulterated or misbranded. Violation of these laws can result in substantial fines as well as imprisonment (Green).…
