The U.S. Senate today passed the Food Safety Modernization Act, which gives greater authority to the Food and Drug Administration to recall food products and step up food safety procedures in an effort to prevent food-borne bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, from reaching consumers.
The bill still requires passage by the House of Representatives before it can be signed by the president. The bill’s prospects of passage during the remaining weeks of the current Congress are questionable. The House passed a different version of the bill in July 2009.
The legislation, estimated to cost $1.4 billion, passed with a 73 to 25 vote. The majority included a sizable number of Republicans joining Democrats. The leading sponsors of the bill were Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA).
The bill establishes minimum standards for safe food production, collects fees from manufacturers related to recalls and re-inspections, and permits the FDA to order a recall rather than encouraging manufacturers to issue a voluntary recall. Food manufacturers and processors will also have to register with the FDA and submit food safety plans.
However, the bill exempts small farmers with revenues less than $500,000 per year because much of their distribution is local and the costs to implement certain safety procedures would create financial hurdles compared to larger companies which sell products nationwide.
The Senate version also excludes any legislation related to bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used to manufacturer plastic bottles.
More links:
Fox News: Senate Passes Food Safety Bill in Wake of Outbreaks
Chicago Tribune: Senate Passes Bill to Boost Food Safety Inspections
