“There Are Certain Things Only Government Can Do”: Barack Obama’s Rhetoric on Food Safety and the Role of Government

Abstract

In January 2011, President Barack Obama signed the FoodSafety Modernization Act (FSMA) into law, representing the mostsignificant upgrade to U.S. food safety laws since the 1930s. In thisessay, we explore Obama’s rhetoric on food safety by analyzing hisremarks prior to and directly following the passage of the FSMA. Asa collection, these texts offer insight into Obama’s reinterpretationof the role of government. Obama’s pragmatic rhetoric on foodsafety demonstrates how the issue of food safety can be used toargue for a broader and more responsible role of government writlarge.