News

Food safety bill on its way to Obama

The House of Representatives approved the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Tuesday afternoon on a 215 to 144 vote.  The measure now goes to President Barack Obama for signature into law.

The bill would increase inspections of farms and food companies, require processors to have plans for preventing contamination of foods, and require importers to verify the safety of products they bring into the country. The FDA, which regulates nearly all foods except for meat and poultry, also would have the power for the first time to force companies to recall tainted products. Recalls are now conducted voluntarily.

According to meatingplace.com, producers who sell directly to consumers and have less than $500,000 in annual sales will be exempted from some of the new regulations. These producers would still be subject to local and state food safety regulation, and the FDA would be able to withdraw the exemption if the farm or facility was associated with an outbreak of food-borne illness.

Among those voting “no” was Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith. “By broadening the size and scope of the federal government, this legislation imposes tremendous burdens on our nation’s agriculture producers.  It levies more taxes on small businesses and will require 18,000 government employees to enforce the new regulations without contributing to the overall safety of food,” Smith said.

• 

  this should have been done long time ago 🙂 hope obama approves it 😀

  Reply
• 

  Hi Ken,
  Please read the bill in its entirety before writing a report. Some organizations may not be giving you the full scoop of facts. This will help you give accurate, unbiased information.

  Reply