WASHINGTON – As the nation braces for yet another recall of beef due to E. coli contamination, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today called on the U.S. Congress to pass sweeping food safety legislation aimed at protecting consumers. Last week, the Energy and Commerce Committee approved The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009  by unanimous  vote. The House is expected to take up the legislation soon. The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 incorporates U.S. Rep. DeGette’s two major food safety priorities, mandatory recall authority and traceability, which she has introduced every Congress since 2002.

“We must give our food safety agencies the resources they need to protect the U.S. consumer,” said DeGette. “This comprehensive legislation institutes preventative measures such as food safety plans, increased inspections, and better enforcement. Also, implementing mandatory recall and traceability would help get contaminated food off our store shelves more quickly in the event of an emergency. As evidenced by today’s beef recall, we cannot afford any more delay. How many consumers must get sick before we act?”

According to the Department of Agriculture, the JBS Swift Beef Company in Greeley, Colorado recalled more than 21 tons of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. The beef products were produced April 21 and 22, 2009. They went to distributors and stores in Colorado, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.