Jalapeño Salmonella Outbreak Hits 431 Cases in 32 States
Is the U.S. food safety system working as intended or have government cuts exposed dangerous vulnerabilities?
Above: Mexican jalapeños at a supermarket in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 11. Image credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
The U.S. has one of the safest food supply systems, but even the strictest regimen cannot stop food-borne illnesses altogether. This Salmonella outbreak serves as a perfect example because of factors beyond U.S. control. However, the authorities have responded quickly, identifying the source, notifying distributors and enabling recalls to protect the public.
Government-critical narrative
America is under siege from foodborne illness outbreaks, and responsibility lies squarely at the feet of the Trump administration. After gutting the FDA and CDC, the White House has left ordinary U.S. citizens dangerously exposed, leading to the surge in reported outbreaks. This could have all been avoided had Trump and his cronies not weakened the system.