The food we eat will be getting closer inspections to avoid salmonella, e coli and other life-threatening contaminants — if Congress manages to pass a food-safety bill.
With the new bill, the Food and Drug Administration would be able to fine food manufacturers and sellers if their products were recalled. Versions of the bill have been passed by both the House and the Senate. But as of Dec. 13, the measure was entangled in procedural issues that delayed final passage. The measure has had strong bi-partisan support and the Congressional leadership still held out hope of getting legislation to President Obama before the end of the year.
National recalls of products like cookie dough, spinach, jalapenos, peanuts, and eggs have driven congressional action to revamp the United State’s food-safety law for the first time in 70 years.
“We must make it easier for consumers to know exactly which food have been recalled,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in a press release, when the Senate passed its version of the bill on Nov. 30. She is one of 21 co-sponsors of the bill. “The current notification system is completely inadequate, spreading too many diseases and actually costing lives as a result.”
Last year, the United States spent over $150 billion to correct many of the food-borne diseases on food products. Since 2009, nine people were killed and over 700 people fell ill to food-borne diseases. If the bill is enacted, it will be the first major overhaul of food-safety policies in the United States in 70 years.
Among the measure’s provisions, it would:
- Increase inspections at all food facilities and require annual inspections of high-risk facilities
- Require the food industry to develop plans to identify hazards and implement preventive measures
- Allow for the F.D.A. to respond to outbreaks by giving new power to order recalls, shut down tainted facilities, and access records of food production
The Senate measure would require companies to give the F.D.A. a summary of recalled products, which would then be passed to grocery stores and food chains. This would allow stores to let their customers know about the contaminated foods within 24 hours so that illnesses will be contained. Penalties for not complying with the new bill and the F.D.A. would result in a range of fines from $1,000 to $10,000 and up to three years in prison.
In a press release, Gillibrand said, “This legislation improves recalls and public education so parents get the information they need to keep contaminated food off our tables and away from our families.”
(Robert Lowrey is a graduate student in broadcast and digital journalism.)
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