On Wednesday, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) offered an amendment to the FDA drug reauthorization bill related to food safety. The amendment, which passed 94-0, calls for a coordinated effort between states and the federal government related to produce food safety. In addition, the amendment would develop a national "Adulterated Food Registry" that would allow for a system for reporting illnesses to the FDA. This activity in the Senate also comes on the heels of last week's pressure by key congressional members to demand FDA to develop an action plan around food safety. "Quite frankly, Congress is frustrated with FDA and Sen. Durbin's amendment should send a message to FDA that the status quo is unacceptable," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for United Fresh. While produce and the recent food safety outbreaks related to spinach have dominated the food safety discussions since September, recent outbreaks associated with melanine in pet food and salmonella in peanut butter have confirmed to Congress that FDA must be held accountable to develop a stronger food safety regulatory structure for the United States. For more information, please contact Robert Guenther at (202) 303-3409.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
