On Capitol Hill this week, two bills were introduced aimed at reforming our country's food safety laws.  In the Senate,  Richard Durbin (D-IL) along with several colleagues including Judd Gregg (R-NH), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) introduced the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, providing for mandatory, comprehensive, commodity-specific and science-based standards for fresh produce.

The legislation would also establish a comprehensive network of federal and state partners who will work with growers and the entire produce supply chain to ensure that good agricultural and handling practices are implemented throughout the produce industry.

In the House, Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) are planning to introduce a similar bill to the Durbin proposal, titled the Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards, and Targeting Act of 2009 today.

"Providing consumers with safe and nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables is at the core of our industry's commitment to enhance the health of the American public," said Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of United Fresh.  "We commend these congressional members for introducing these legislative initiatives which will further serious congressional consideration of ways to improve our nation’s food safety system," he stated.

For more information, contact Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy at 202-303-3400 ext. 409