The House Passes the Food Safety Enhancement Act
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of HR 2749 the food safety enhancement act of 2009. It's time that we put in place a stronger and more thorough system to prevent food-borne illness rather than continuing to simply react to outbreak after outbreak of contaminated products. This bill will require that food manufacturers put in place preventive controls to monitor the production lines and identify, prevent, or eliminate hazards should they arise. It requires them to have food safety plans detailing all the food safety activities the company is undertaking to ensure the safety of their products. Under the bill, the FDA will have the authority to set performance standards that companies must incorporate into their food safety plans. It requires the FDA to put in place a traceability system for food products. It requires the FDA to inspect facilities according to a minimum inspection frequency. And it provides the FDA with enhanced enforcement authorities. Mr. Speaker, this is the strongest bill it can be. It will catapult the FDA into the 21st century and it will arm the agency with the necessary authorities and enforcement power to protect our nation's food supply.
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