The National Meat Association reports that late last month, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the “Safe and Fair Enforcement and Recall for Meat, Poultry and Food (SAFER) Act.” S. 3615 would give the USDA and FDA mandatory recall authority. It would also require companies to notify USDA or FDA if they have reason to believe the product is contaminated. The bill would set a scale of civil penalties if a company violates federal meat, poultry or food laws.
“We can do a much better job in protecting Americans from the dangers of contaminated or unsafe meat, poultry and other foods,” Harkin said. “Part of the problem is that USDA and FDA don’t have the tools they need to enforce basic food safety standards. This bill would change that.”