Senate passes food safety legislation

The Senate passed S.510, the Food Safety Modernization Act, this morning 73-25.

The bill has come under fire from some industry groups, including the Produce Marketing Association, because amendments to the bill deviated from the risk- and science-based food safety principles the groups support. The language in the bill is the amended text, which exempts growers and food manufacturers with sales less than $500,000 or who sell direct to retailers, restaurants or customers in the same state or within a 275-mile radius.

S.510 gives FDA expanded recall powers, the ability to assess fees for recall events and assess fees for re-inspection of facilities. The bill requires notification of contaminated product, and requires manufacturers to turn over test results and other paperwork during investigations. High-risk items, including fresh-cut produce, will be required to meet higher food safety requirements, and facilities will be inspected by FDA within five years of the bill becoming law.

The bill now goes back to the House, which can send it to committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions, or the House can pass the Senate bill as is and send it to the president for signing.