Monday, July 9, 2007

The editorial on food imports ["Securing Food," July 2] implied that America should accept a certain amount of unsafe imported food because "the vast majority" of imports are not tainted with filth, antibiotics or industrial solvents. How reassuring.

In 2006, the United States imported 87.8 billion pounds of food -- about 10 million pounds an hour. Currently, food safety inspectors examine about 1 percent of imports; it would be a snap for an unscrupulous manufacturer to ship tainted food to unsuspecting American consumers.

The Post's comfort with even the most odious downsides of free trade has reached a new low when it accommodates exporters of dangerous food. Tepid endorsement of more rigorous enforcement ignores the point.

Putting free trade before the safety of our food supply is a public health disaster waiting to happen.

PATRICIA LOVERA

Assistant Director

Food & Water Watch

Washington