Gordon Votes For FDA Bill Addressing Food Safety Issues

September 19, 2007, WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted for legislation that will require the Food and Drug Administration to improve its efforts to let consumers know about food safety concerns.

“The recent salad mix recall in Tennessee shows that more needs to be done to keep our food supply safe,” said Gordon. “The public needs to be able to find information quickly when they’re trying to determine if an item in their refrigerator is safe to serve to their family.”

Today (Sept. 19), the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 3580, which will require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve its communications to let the public know of recalls regarding human or pet food. For example, the bill requires the department to list the recalls on the FDA’s Web site in a searchable, consolidated, easily accessible form.

Food safety issues have become a priority since a number of recalls were issued over the past year because of contaminated food. Last fall, spinach contaminated with E.coli led to three deaths and more than 200 illnesses. In February 2007, the FDA issued a nationwide recall of certain brands of peanut butter due to Salmonella contamination. On September 17, salad mix sold in Tennessee and other states was recalled after a tested sample was found to contain E.coli.

Imported food and consumer products became the focus of scrutiny after numerous recalls and warnings were issued regarding contaminated pet food, toys with lead-based paint and other unsafe products.

“Congress will be holding hearings to determine what needs to be done to ensure the quality of both domestic and imported goods,” said Gordon, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “We must take precautions to ensure these goods do not pose health or safety threats to those who purchase them.”