Congressional letter sought whistleblower protection for airline catering employees
| Date of record | 3 March 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | United States |
| Type | Congressional correspondence |
| Source tier | Tier 1 — published congressional press release and letter text |
What the record shows
In March 2011 a member of Congress wrote to the Commissioner of the FDA regarding food safety in airline catering, citing inspection findings of food stored at improper temperatures, unclean equipment and poor hygiene practices, together with evidence of inadequate pest control.
The letter requested that employees of airline caterers receive whistleblower protection under the then newly enacted Food Safety Modernization Act, on the basis that those employees could provide a complete picture of the problem and its causes.
Evidence gap
The letter reflects a view that the regulatory record alone was insufficient to establish what was occurring, and that worker testimony was needed to complete it. Where a system relies on testimony rather than measurement, the record is only as good as who is willing to speak.