(ASQ: Milwaukee, Wisconsin) -- The American Society for Quality recently submitted a written statement for the record to a congressional subcommittee that is focusing on food quality and safety in the United States.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce recently held hearings entitled “Diminished Capacity: Can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation’s Food Supply?” ASQ submitted a statement offering perspectives from quality assurance professionals that it believes will be useful to the subcommittee, the Food and Drug Administration, and the food-processing industry.

“Congress and the FDA should be wary of the drumbeat calling for more inspection, as this represents a simplistic solution to a complex situation and an expensive approach that cannot work,” says Paul Borawski, ASQ executive director and chief strategic officer.

Now that the food-safety hearings are complete, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Michigan), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee’s subcommittee on oversight and investigations, will work with Congress to review input from all parties. Testimony and other written statements will be considered by Congress in drafting potential food-quality legislation.

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