An administrator with the FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection) branch of the USDA is calling for a ranking of the “riskiest” foods, in order to better structure regulation of our entire food system. Cetainly an idea that makes some sense. This is especially true in light of the fact that the resources to regulate our food system seem always to lag behind our goals in that regard. Prioritizing the risks could lead to a more effecient allocation of those resources.
Its not a scientific survey, but recent outbreaks seem to suggest two candidates for the list: (1) alfalfa sprouts, currently implicated in a Salmonella outbreak.; and also being recalled in Rhode Island over listeria fears; and (2) unpastuerized dairy products, currently implicated in a campylobacter outbreak in Colorado.