Christianity in United States & Food Security

FOUNDATION.

>> THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY... FIRST, U.S. CHRISTIANITY IN A FREE FALL.

THEN THE CRACKS IN OUR ABUNDANT PERHAPS AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN?

[♪♪♪] HELLO I'M BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, THE CHANGING RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE.

>> FEWER AMERICANS IDENTIFY AS CHRISTIANS AND MORE SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RELIGION ACCORDING TO A NEW PEW STUDY OF 35,000 PEOPLE.

IN LESS THAN A DECADE, CHRISTIANS HAVE GONE FROM REPRESENTING ALMOST 80% OF THE POPULATION TO MORE THAN 70%.

AND WOMEN TEND FOR MORE RELIGIOUS THEN MEN, THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN CALLING THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS DROPPED.

BESIDES AFFECTING GENDERS, THE SHIFT IS OCCURRING ACROSS ADULTS OF ALL AGES, ETHNIC GROUPS AND REGIONS.

AND MEMBERSHIP IN MINORITY RELIGIONS SUCH AS ISLAM AND HINDUISM HAS GROWN MODESTLY.

WHY IS IT THAT WOMEN STICK MORE WITH RELIGION THAN MEN?

>> WELL, I THINK WOMEN HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE MORE LOYAL AND THEY HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MEN.

[LAUGHTER] >> I THINK WOMEN WANT TO SUBMIT TO A GREATER POWER MORE LIKELY THAN MEN THAT IS MY FEELING ABOUT IT.

>> I THINK THEY ARE MORE FAITHFUL AND HOPEFUL THAN MEN ARE.

>> WOMEN MIGHT BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT RELIGION HAS TO OFFER?

>> SUCH AS?

>> COMMUNITY AND FAMILY VALUES.

>> MY QUESTION IS AS HAVING BEEN A CHILD OF THE 60s, IS WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG?

[LAUGHTER] YOU ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER BUT IN 1977 TIME MAGAZINE RAN A COVER WITH THE QUESTION: IS GOD DEAD?

THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE DROPPING OUT OF RELIGION AND THEN THERE WAS A RESURGENCE.

AND NOW IT'S FINALLY GOING BACK THE OTHER WAY.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> WAS WONDERING THIS READING THROUGH THE ARTICLES.

AND I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE LESS RELIGIOUS.

I THINK THEY ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE A DENOMINATION AND SAY THEY ARE SPIRITUAL.

ESPECIALLY MILLENNIALS THEY GO TO CHURCH OR SOMEPLACE OF WORSHIP ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND PEOPLE JUST DON'T.

>> WHAT ARE CHURCHES GOING TO HAVE TO DO TO REINVENT THEMSELVES ?

>> I DO NOT THINK HAS ABOUT REINVENTING YOURSELVES.

RELIGION IS NOT A COMPETITION AND NOT ABOUT NUMBERS.

AS YOU MENTIONED WITH THE TIME MAGAZINE PIECE IT WILL FLUCTUATE IT WILL GO UP AND DOWN AND I THINK IT WILL COME BACK.

I DON'T THINK CHRISTIANITY IS IN A FREE FALL.

>> IS IT A MATTER OF EDUCATION?

LOOK AT EUROPE IS AHEAD OF US ON THIS CURVE.

AND THE REASON CLEARLY IS NOT JUST MUCH MORE EDUCATED SOCIETY BUT MORE HIGHLY EDUCATED WOMEN.

I HAVE LOOKED AT ITALY AND THOUGHT ITALIANS, I MEAN THEY GO TO CHURCH BUT THEY DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO CATHOLICISM.

EVERY MAN HAS A MISTRESS AND EVERY WOMAN HAS A PHD AND HER OWN CAREER AND THE REASON IS THAT HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATED PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION.

>> SURELY THE LIBERAL IDEAS THAT CAME FROM EUROPE HAVE COME HERE AND TRICKLED DOWN TO THE MASSES.

THE LIBERAL IDEAS LED PEOPLE TO THINK THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE PART OF SOMETHING RIGID THEY CAN HAVE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE AND WITH THE INFORMATION AGE AND WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTON WE CAN FIND OUT ANYTHING NEW.

I AGREE WITH YOU, SPIRITUALITY IS BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM.

-- >> WHAT DOES SOMEBODY MEAN WHEN HE OR SHE SAYS SHE IS SPIRITUAL?

>> I MEAN I WOULD SAY -- I THINK THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF IT.

IT MEANS THAT I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT IS GREATER THAN MYSELF AND THAT I'M CONNECTED TO SOMETHING THAT IS BIGGER THAN JUST ME HERE.

BUT I DO NOT FEEL THEY FEEL THE NEED TO DEFINE IT OR CALL IT SOMETHING.

>> OR IF THEY DON'T PRACTICE IF THEY ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH CHRISTIAN VALUES AND BELIEFS BUT THEY MIGHT NOT GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY.

AM I PRACTICING MY FAITH?

DO I DEFINE MYSELF?

AND SOME PEOPLE ARE HOW DO I DEFINE IT MYSELF.

>> AND A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, TOO.

ARE YOU ADDRESSING BEING SOULFUL AND SPIRITUAL.

BUT IT SEEMS TO ME IN LOOKING AT THAT THAT THE NUMBERS ARE FOLLOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR POLITICS IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE THE EVANGELICALS.

>> OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> YES.

AS FAR AS THE EVANGELICALS WHICH ARE STRONGLY ONE WAY AND MORE RIGID THAT GROUP IS GROWING.

AND THE MORE MODERATES AND IN THE MIDDLE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING I DON'T AFFILIATE WITH A CERTAIN CHURCH.

YOU HAVE THAT WITH PARTY IDENTIFICATION, TOO.

WITH THE GROWING INDEPENDENTS.

THAT PARTY AND MAYBE THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY THOSE ARE GROWING.

I THINK PEOPLE FEEL MORE OF A FREEDOM WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE NOT TO CLASSIFY YOURSELF.

AND THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IF YOU LOOKED AT SAID IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES STAYED STABLE.

WHICH STILL HAVE THEIR CHURCHES AND LEADERS A HUGE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND MESSAGING OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE RISE IN THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHAT ROLE DOES THAT PLAY WITH PEOPLE CONNECTING TO EACH OTHER?

>> ARE CHURCHES USING SOCIAL MEDIA OR SHOULD THEY START?

>> THEY SHOULD BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE BRAND OF NEW BRAND OF CHURCHES WHICH ARE MORE THE WORSHIP IS DIFFERENT AND THE SERVICE IS DIFFERENT.

AND THE NUMBERS YOU BRING UP AN EXCELLENT POINT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN THE UNITED STATES WE HAVE HAVE MORE CHURCH GOERS SUNDAY PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER NATION AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT CHANGING.

>> I DO NOT THINK WE ARE IN A FREE FALL.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE IN A FREE FALL.

THE WAY THAT WE WORSHIP IS CHANGING.

AND I THINK THAT CHURCHES NEED TO EVOLVE IN THAT SENSE WHETHER THEY DO IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR TWITTER TOWN HALL CHURCH MEETING.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, DEBRA MAKES A GOOD POINT ABOUT EVANGELISM GROWING.

AND THE KEITA SHOWS IT'S GROWING AMONG IMMIGRANTS PARTICULARLY CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS NOT SO MUCH AFRICAN OR NOT SO MUCH EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS PRETTY WETTED TO EVANGELICALS CHRISTIANS.

IF THE NUMBER ITS CORE WHICH IS NOT CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS BUT WHITE AMERICANS WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS?

>> I -- I THINK THERE IS A COUPLE OF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE ISSUES THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE TYPE OF CHRISTIANS MIGHT AGREE ON.

BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS A HARDLINE NECESSARILY.

>> REALLY?

I MEAN BECAUSE EVERY REPUBLICAN I KNOW AND LOTS OF FORMER MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM THE PARTY BEMOAN THE FACT THAT EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS CONTROL THE PRIMARIES AND -- >> I DO NOT LIKE NECESSARILY [ALL TALKING AT ONCE] INTO ONE CATEGORY LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT THERE IS REPUBLICANS WHO AREN'T EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS.

AND THAT IS WHY I SAID THEY MIGHT AGREE ON SPECIFIC ISSUES BUT I WILL NOT GROUP THEM INTO ONE SPECIFIC PARTY.

>> YOU'VE HAD REPUBLICAN POLITICAL LEADERS HIGH UP, MAJORITY YOU KNOW, LEADERS IN THE SENATE AND IN THE HOUSE TALKING ABOUT THE PARTY BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT.

AND IF WE DON'T GET AHOLD OF THAT, THEY WILL BE RUNNING OUR PARTY.

AND I THINK YOU SEE THAT IN YOUR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES AND YOU'RE SEEING IT RIGHT NOW.

>> LOOK AT ALL THE CANDIDATES WHO COULD BE THE MOST CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN THAT IS THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO WIN THE MOST VOTES.

>> AND WE ARE WRITING OFF PEOPLE LIKE TED CRUZ AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT BECAUSE I AM A MODERATE BUT IT IS THE TRUTH.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN TIME.

WE ARE FIGURING OUT WHERE WE ARE GOING AND HOW TO COURT PEOPLE UNDER THE BIG TENT OF REPUBLICANISM.

>> IF AS THE PEW DATA SHOWS THE NUMBER OF WHITE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IS DROPPING AND THE CHRISTIAN EVANGELICALS OF COLOR ARE VOTING DEMOCRATIC, WHAT IS THE PARTY NEED IF IT STAYS WITH THAT WHITE CONSERVATIVE BASE, WHICH IS IN DECLINE, NUMBERS WISE OR PERCENTAGE WISE OF THE U.S. POPULATION WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?

>> IT MEANS THAT PURE DECLINE OF THE PARTY AND WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE 2012 GROWTH IN OPPORTUNITY PROJECT THE AUTOPSY WE DID OF 2012'S ELECTION BECAUSE WE CANNOT PANDER TO ONE BASE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING IN NEW RACES AND AGES AND PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS.

THIS IS AMERICA.

AND I KNOW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS WAKING UP TO IT.

IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE IT.

>> I AGREE.

I THINK WHAT REPUBLICANS HAVE SEEN IS THAT MOVING THAT FAR TO THE RIGHT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WIN THE WHITE HOUSE.

THEY MAY WIN IN CERTAIN POCKETS OF THE COUNTRY AND OCTOBERPY THE SENATE BUT THEY WILL NOT WIN THE WHITE HOUSE.

TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE TO DO A REVIEW AND SAY HOW DO WE REACH MORE PEOPLE AND WE KNOW THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE SHIFTING AND BECOMING BROWNER AND MORE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE WILL BE THE MAJORITY.

WHAT ARE THE POLICIES THEY HAVE TO CREATE THAT WILL BRING MORE PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.

>> AND I THINK THE -- WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO COURT THE HISPANIC VOTE AND THAT IS IMPORTANTMENT THE COUNTRY HAS A CHANGING FACE.

>> AND CRUZ AND RUBIO BEING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

>> SOMETHING ABOUT IT HAVING THE NAMES IN THE RACE.

AND THEY ARE OF A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND AND THE EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT SO THEY CANNOT QUITE CONNECT BUT IT'S HELPFUL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT POLICY CHANGES MORE SO THAN MESSAGING.

>> I LOVE YOUR THOUGHT ON THIS.

>> I THINK WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO PARTIES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, TOO OFTEN WE HAVE ONE ISSUE VOTERS AND AS SOON AS THEIR CANDIDATE IS OUT OF THE PRIMARY THEY STAY HOME.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE A HUGE PROBLEM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LIES.

IS PEOPLE NOT COMING TO THE POLLS AND VOTING FOR THEIR CANDIDATE BECAUSE THEIR PREVIOUS CANDIDATE IN A PRIMARY ELECTION IS NOT THERE ON ELECTION DAY.

I DISAGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION IT'S USUALLY CLOSE.

AND THE NUMBERS ARE EVEN.

AND IT'S GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER ALL THE TIME.

AND JUST TO SAY WHAT MY OPINION IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IN THE FUTURE VOTERS, STRICTER VOTER ID LAWS AND REDISTRICTING AND GETTING CONTROL OF THE STATE HOUSES.

>> WHEW!

[LAUGHTER] LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

>> BEHIND THE HEADLINES.

FOOD SECURITY IS A TERM WITH MANY POSSIBLE DEFINITIONS.

FOR OUR PURPOSES WE DEFINE IT AS THE AVAILABILITY, SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, ADEQUACY AND AFFORDABLE COST OF FOOD.

ISSUES WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IN THE U.S., RIGHT?

NOT EXACTLY.

WE BEGIN A SERIES ON FOOD SECURITY AND HOW A GROWING DIVERSE POPULATION, CHANGING TASTES AND OUR FARMING METHODS ARE STRAINING OUR FOOD SYSTEM AND PUTTING US AT RISK FOR FOOD INSECURITY.

>> AMERICANS LOVE TO EAT.

AT HOME... INS... ON THE STREETS.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AMERICANS SPEND 9 AND 11% OF THEIR INCOME ON FOOD AND MOST DO NOT WORRY THAT THEY WILL EVER GO WITHOUT SOMETHING TO EAT.

>> EVERYTHING IS JUST SO MADE AVAILABLE.

IF I AM HUNGRY, I JUST GO TO THE 24-HOUR GROCERY STORE.

>> MOST AMERICANS TAKE THEIR FOOD FOR GRANTED THE FOOD SYSTEM IN THE U.S. IS COMPLICATED.

THE U.S. HAS THE MOST HIGH-TECH, REGULATED AND RELIABLE NETWORK OF FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE WORLD.

BUT DESPITE OUR SUPPLY, WE ARE NOT THE LARGEST FOOD PRODUCER IN THE WORLD.

CHINA AND INDIA PRODUCE MORE FOOD.

MAINLY BECAUSE THEY GROW RICE.

WHILE THE U.S.

PRODUCES MORE PROTEIN SUCH AS BEEF, PORK AND POULTRY.

THE U.S. HAS ALSO BEEN A NET EXPORTER OF FOOD SINCE 1960 BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THE U.S. IS FOOD SELF SUFFICIENT.

WE ARE BECOMING LESS ABLE TO SUPPLY OUR OWN FOOD AND BECOMING MORE RELIANT ON IMPORTS.

THE REASONS: A GROWING ETHNICITY DIVERSE POPULATION DEMANDING MORE VIRTS OF FOOD OF ALL KINDS.

AMERICANS WANT BETTER QUALITY.

MORE CONVENIENCE AND AN INCREASELY WIDER SELECTION OF SEASONAL FOOD PRODUCTS ALL YEAR-ROUND.

>> WE HAVE THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION THAT THIS IS MUCH MORE DIVERSE SOCIETY AND THAT WE HAVE THE IMPACT POPULATION GROWTH FOR EXAMPLE, OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS THE POPULATION IN CALIFORNIA HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED.

SO THAT CREATES MORE POPULATION DENSITY AND MORE PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TOGETHER.

>> WE BRING IN FIVE TIMES AS MANY IMMIGRANTS AS WE DID IN THE 1960sMENT AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE ON TRACK TO ADD 200 MILLION PEOPLE TO OUR POPULATION BETWEEN NOW AND 2100.

THAT HAS OBVIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY, WATER USE IN THE ARID WEST AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

WE WANT TO STABILIZE OUR POPULATION WE HAVE TO LIMIT IMMIGRATION.

>> A DROUGHT IN A COUNTRY COULD INTERRUPT SUPPLY OF A PARTICULAR TYPE OR LEAVE US WITHOUT ACCESS TO IT FOR A LONGTIME.

>> CONSIDER THE CALIFORNIA DROUGHT.

SOME EAST COAST GROCERY STORES POSTED NOTICES THAT PRODUCT PRICES IN THIS CASE PISTACHIOS ARE HEADING SKYWARD BECAUSE THEY COME FROM CALIFORNIA.

EXPERTS ADD THE COMPLETE EFFECTS OF THE CALIFORNIA DROUGHT ON FOOD AVAILABILITY ARE NOT YET KNOWN BUT ONE MAJOR PROBLEM IS CALIFORNIA IS USING POSSIBLY EXHAUSTING ITS GROUND WATER RESOURCES.

>> WE USE THAT GROUND WATER NOT AS OUR SAVING ACCOUNT BUT AS OUR CHECKING ACCOUNT.

AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOW WITHOUT THE GROUND WATER THAT IS THE FINAL RESULT.

HOW MUCH WATER WE HAVE IN OUR GROUND THAT IS THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

>> WITHOUT GROUND WATER FARMLAND CAN BECOME UNUSABLE.

ALL OF THE CHANGES IN OUR DIET ALTERED THE AMERICAN FOOD BASKET AND CREATING CRACKS IN U.S. FOOD SECURITY.

>> AS LONG AS CONSUMERS DEMAND THE DIVERSITY OF FOODS WE WILL HAVE TO IMPORT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CLIMATE TO GROW EVERYTHING HERE.

SO IMPORTS IN A GLOBAL FOOD MARKET ARE THE FUTURE.

>> THE POPULATION GROWTH INCREASES THE TOTAL DEMAND FOR FOOD MORE PEOPLE TO FEED.

SO ONE IMPACT IS THAT IT MAY ACTUALLY INCREASE FOOD PRICES BECAUSE WE HAVE NECESSARILY THE INCREASED THE PRODUCTIVE LAND ENOUGH FOR THAT.

SO WE MAY HAVE TO IMPORT OR OTHERWISE CERTAIN THINGS BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> THE GROWTH AND DIVERSITY IN POPULATION HAS BEEN INCREASING OUR IMPORTS OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE, U.S. FOOD IMPORTS GREW FROM 41 BILLION IN 1999 TO ALMOST 110 BILLION IN 2013.

MUCH OF THE GROWTH HAS BEEN IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED FOODS, AND SEAFOOD.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE FRESH AND LOCAL SEAFOOD, AN ESTIMATED 90% OF THE SEAFOOD AMERICANS EAT IS IMPORTED.

ABOUT HALF OF THAT COMES FROM FARM RAISED FISH.

IN 2013, CHINA EXPORTED 2.5 BILLION WORTH OF TILAPIA, COD, SHRIMP AND SALMON TO THE U.S THAILAND, CHINA AND VIETNAM SUPPLY MOST OF THE SHRIMP WE EAT AND TILAPIA A NAME FOR MANY TYPES OF FISH AND ONE THAT IS EASILY FARM RAISED COMES FROM CHINA, INDONESIA, ECUADOR AND HONDURAS.

ASIDE FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, U.S. CONSUMERS OFTEN HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW IMPORTED FISH WAS CAUGHT OR PRODUCED.

>> WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD WE IMPORT.

WE KNOW THE DOLLAR VALUE OF WHAT COMES ACROSS THE BORDER AS IT IS CLAIMED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FOREIGN CONTENT IS OF THE MATERIAL THAT WE EAT EVERYDAY.

>> REGULATING IMPORTS INTO THE COUNTRY IS THE JOB OF THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

SINCE THE AGENCY ONLY PHYSICALLY INSPECTS 1 TO 2% OF IMPORTS IT RELIES ON DATA SUBMITTED FROM IMPORTERS AND ON PAST PERFORMANCE OF VIOLATORS.

LAST YEAR THERE WERE MORE THAN 17,000 IMPORTED FOOD SHIPMENTS REJECTED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

SOME OF THE REASONS ACCORDING TO FDA LABELING THE FOOD WAS PUTRID MISSING INFORMATION OR CONTAINED SALMONELLA.

BUT CRITICS OF THE AGENCY SAY THE REFUSAL RATES STAYED THE SAME AND IMPORTS HAVE GROWN AND THE FDA IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE GROWING IMPORTS.

>> THE EXPECTATION IS EVERYTHING IS SAFE AND FDA IS DOING EVERYTHING TO APPROPRIATE TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY BUT THE 180 RULE WILL SAY WRONG THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

AND IT'S BY DYSFUNCTION AND NOT HAVING THE APPROPRIATE SETUP OR SYSTEMS IN PLACE CULTURALLY OR PHYSICALLY.

>> THE AGENCY HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT IMPORTS BUT NOT THE RIGHT KIND OF INFORMATION.

>> KEEP IN MIND THE EXISTING SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE BOTH WITH THE CUSTOMS AND FDA IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE INFORMATION THAT CONSUMER GETS WHEN THEY PURCHASE SOMETHING AT THE GROCERY STORE.

YOU GET A RECEIPT AFTERWARDS AND YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE PRODUCT.

AND YOU GOT A RECEIPT THAT IDENTIFIES IT AND WHAT THE COST IS.

THAT IS BASICALLY INVOICE INFORMATION AND THAT IS ALSO WHAT IS AVAILABLE LARGELY TO THE AGENCY AT THE BORDER.

>> EXPERTS SAY NOT KNOWING EVERYTHING ABOUT WHERE OR HOW IMPORTED FOOD IS PRODUCED LEAVES VULNERABILITIES IN THE FOOD SECURITY SYSTEM.

>> WHAT IS RISKY IS NOT KNOWING THE SUPPLY CHAIN THAT IS SOURCING THE FOOD.

I AM MORE COMFORTABLE WITH A GOOD COMPANY IN A BAD COUNTRY THAN A MEDIOCRE COMPANY IN A GOOD COUNTRY.

>> NOT KNOWING HOW FOOD IS PRODUCED CAN AND HAS LED TO ILLNESS AND DEATH.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTS THAT ONE IN SIX AMERICANS OR 48 MILLION PEOPLE GET SICK FROM FOOD BORN DISEASES EACH YEAR.

3,000 DIE.

THE CDC REPORTS OUTBREAKS LINKED TO IMPORTED FOODS ROSE FROM 2005-2010.

OVER THOSE FIVE YEARS, IMPORTED FOODS CAUSED 39 OUTBREAKS AND 2300 REPORTED I WILLNESSES.

THE MOST COMMON CULPRITS, FISH AND SPICES, PARTICULARLY PEPPERS.

FISH WERE BEHIND 17 OF THE OUTBREAKS AND SPICES WERE THE SOURCE OF SIX OUTBREAKS FIVE TRACED TO FRESH OR DRIED PEPPERS.

HALF OF THE FOODS CAUSING THE OUTBREAKS, 45% CAME FROM ASIA.

AND THE CDC WARNS THE STATISTICS ARE MOST LIKELY UNDERESTIMATED BECAUSE MANY OUTBREAKS ARE NOT DISCOVERED AND NOT ALL ILLNESSES ARE REPORTED.

FOODBORNE ILLNESS COSTS THE ECONOMY MORE THAN $14.6 BILLION ANNUALLY, THAT ACCORDING TO A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

STEFAN LATOURE IS ONE OF THE ONE IN SIX STATISTICS.

HE BECAME VIOLENTLY ILL AFTER EATING PEPPERONI PIZZA.

>> I DROVE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCE AND WENT AND GAVE THE LADY MY KEYS AND SAID I AM PARKED OUT FRONT MANY I'M SICK.

I THOUGHT I WAS DYING.

I WAS THAT SICK I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT SICK BEFORE EVER.

>> STEFAN WAS NOT ALONE.

AFTER ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL HE WAS TOLD THERE WERE OTHERS WHO WERE SICK FROM THE PEPPERONI.

>> SHE SAID YOU ARE THE 11TH PERSON THAT HAS COME HERE TODAY THAT HAD A PEPPERONI PIZZA AND THEY WERE FROM ALL DIFFERENT PLACES BUT APPARENTLY THEY WERE ALL USING THE SAME DISTRIBUTOR AND THEY HAD A BAD BATCH OF PEPPERONI.

>> AFTER OVERNIGHTING IN THE HOSPITAL GOING ON IV AND GETTING HIS STOMACH PUMPED HE WAS RELEASED.

>> I NEVER BEEN THAT SICK NEVER HAD FOOD POISONING BEFORE.

AND NEVER WANT IT AGAIN.

>> TAINTED IMPORTS ARE ALSO SOMETIMES KILLING OUR PETS.

SINCE 2007 THE FDA HAS BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATING PET TREATS FROM CHINACH MORE THAN 1,000 DOGS AND CATS DIED AND AND AN ESTIMATED 5,000 HAVE BECOME ILL FOR EATING THE TREATS.

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT A FEW CHILDREN HAVE BECOME ILL FROM EATING THE PET TREATS.

THE FDA HAS NOT BARRED ENTRY FOR THE TREATS BUT IT WARNS OWNERS THEY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MANUFACTURERS DO NOT NEED TO LIST THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR EACH INGREDIENT USED IN THEIR PRODUCTS AND THUS MAY STILL CONTAIN INGREDIENTS SOURCED FROM CHINA OR OTHER COUNTRIES THAT EXPORT TO THE U.S >> THE ONE THING I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS DOG TREATS I HAVE FOUR DOGS AND IT'S ONE THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER IT'S COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES OR CHINA.

>> AS THE POPULATION GROWS AND THE U.S.

DEPENDS ON MORE IMPORTS, THE RISK FOR ILLNESS AND FOOD INSECURITY GOES UP.

SO AMBER, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST RISK TO OUR FOOD SECURITY?

>> I THINK BECAUSE OF OUR GROWING POP LEGISLATURES AND THE DEMANDS IT PUTS ON OUR SUPPLY SYSTEM THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN THAT SUPPLY CHAIN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO IMPORT.

IF WE DON'T HAVE A WAY TO TRACK WHERE IT'S COMING FROM AND HOW IT'S PROCESSED THAT POSES SERIOUS RISKS.

>> I THINK WATER.

THE SUPPLY OF WATER, THE LACK OF IT, SELLING OUR WATER.

THAT IS OUR NUMBER ONE SECURITY RISK TO OUR FOOD SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> HOW DO YOU FIX THAT?

>> IT IS A BIG THING BUT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT.

WE HAVE TO QUIT ALLOWING THERE TO BE GOLF COURSES IN ARIZONA AND USING WATER TO MAKE THAT GREEN.

I MEAN THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO GET REAL ABOUT.

WE CANNOT HAVE UNLIMITED WATER AND PAY $50 A MONTH FOR YOUR WATER.

>> THE DEMAND FOR A DIVERSE FOOD SUPPLY IN THIS COUNTRY IS A PRESSURE.

WITH IMMIGRATION WE SEE THE NEED RISE AND AMERICANS ARE USED TO AFFORDABLE FOOD AND AS WE ARE GOING TO SEE MANY CHANGES IN OUR POPULATION, WE WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THESE THINGS.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHY CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN IN A DROUGHT FOR THE PAST YEAR.

AND WHY THERE ARE -- >> FOUR YEARS.

>> FOUR YEARS.

AND WHY WE ARE HAVING A DROUGHT AND HOW THAT IS AFFECTING THE REST OF US.

UNLESS WE HOLD OUR POLICYMAKERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CREATING CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY THEN WE WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS WE WILL HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO GET OUR FOOD.

>> THAT IS A GREAT THOUGHT TO END ON.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪♪] AND THE CHARLES A. FRUEAUFF FOUNDATION.

>> FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF HIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.