In Other News · United States · Lifestyle

Source: Axios

Data: Gallup; Chart: Avery Lotz/AxiosAmericans' confidence in the safety of food on grocery store shelves — and in the federal government's ability to regulate it — has plummeted to new lows according to a new Gallup poll.The big picture: Simultaneous illness outbreaks put federal regulators under a microscope earlier this year, as layoffs across the nation's health apparatus were already causing food safety angst.By the numbers: Less than half of U.S. adults have a great deal (11%) or a fair amount (36%) of confidence in the federal government to ensure food safety, according to the poll, which was conducted last month.On the flip side, a majority have not much or no confidence in the government's ability to police their food — a first in Gallup's trend, which has been intermittent for two decades. Zoom out: Meanwhile, Americans' confidence in the food sold at grocery stores has mirrored that drop, falling to a record low of 65% saying they are somewhat or very confident.That share has plunged from the 81% recorded in 2019.Zoom in: That growing food safety suspicion is driven by Democrats and independents, while Republicans have actually become more confident in grocery store food.The partisan chasm over the federal...