Food Safety Bill Proposed

Legislation is being introduced that sponsors say would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authorities, tools and resources to regulate food safety.

The Food Safety Modernization Act, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Judd Gregg (N.H.), Ted Kennedy (Mass.) and Richard Burr (N.C.), would increase the frequency of inspections at all food facilities; give FDA expanded access to records and testing results; and allow FDA to mandate food product recalls if a company fails to recall it at the agency's request.

This new bill focuses on expanding FDA powers. Another bill introduced earlier this year by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) would create a stand-alone food safety agency within the Health and Human Services Department.

Reprinted in part from FDA