Many readers of this journal will likely recall 2008 and 2009’s national Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut product manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Since news of the outbreak first hit the media, the case has been a regular fixture in the press. The outbreak is notable both for its enormous scope—over 700 sickened in 46
legislation
Senator Gillibrand Proposes Anti – E. coli Legislation
By Dave Babcock on
Posted in Food Poisoning Information
Senator Gillibrand of New York has unveiled new legislation, entitled the "E. coli Eradication Act" according to this report from the North Country Gazette. The legislation is aimed at eliminating E. coli O157:H7 from the U.S. food system. In previous years, outbreaks linked to lettuce, spinach, ground beef and even cookie dough have called the…
Food Safety Enhancement Act Passes Committee
By Dave Babcock on
Posted in Food Policy & Regulation
The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 passed out of Committee in the House today, without opposition. The full House is expected to vote on the bill before the July 4th recess.
According to an article in The Packer, the bill is receiving some lukewarm support -or at least, something less than all out…
Fees Lowered as Food Safety Enhancement Act Moves Through House
By Dave Babcock on
Posted in Food Policy & Regulation
As the "Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" was passed out of the House subcommittee last week, the fees associated with production facility inspection were decreased. According to a story in the Packer:
The bill approved June 10 was revised from an earlier draft version, dropping user fees for inspections from $1,000 to $500
…
Pork Producers Fight Against New Food Safety Bill
By Dave Babcock on
Posted in Food Policy & Regulation
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is waging a fight against food saftey refoms in the pending "Food Safety and Enhancement Act of 2009" according to Wisconsin Ag Connection. The bill was recently approved by in subcommittee and will head next to a full comittee in the House.
The NPPC claims to support efforts to…
Senator Klobuchar’s Push for New Food Safety Legislation Highlights the Work of Minnesota Health Officials
By Dave Babcock on
Posted in Food Poisoning Information
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar held a press conference today to announce new proposed leglisation to "promote a more rapid and effective national response to outbreaks of foodborne sickness."
According to Klobuchar, the new act would, among other things:
- Enhance the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) foodborne disease surveillance system.
- Direct CDC to provide more support to state health
…
States Tell the Feds: If You Don’t Fix It, We Will
By Colin Caywood on
Posted in Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
State legislators around the US, fed up with the perceived slow response of the federal government to enact stronger food safety laws, have begun sending a clear message to Washington: if you won’t protect our citizens from increasing foodborne illness outbreaks, then we will.
in a Wall Street Journal article by Jane Zhang, she highlights…
State-by-State Food Safety Regulation?
By Mary Siceloff on
Posted in Food Poisoning Watch
As reported by the Wall Street Journal’s Jane Zhang, states frustrated by the slow pace of national food safety reform have begun to take matters into their own hands. Georgia was hit hard by the recent outbreak of Salmonella in peanut butter and peanut products; as the leading producer of peanuts in the US…
Eight steps to safer food
By Food Poisoning Lawyer on
Posted in Food Poisoning Watch
Bill Marler is traveling to Washington, DC today to support victims of three recent foodborne illness outbreaks as they give testimony before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Marler provided written testimony for the subcommittee, highlighting eight steps he feels could greatly improve food safety. Continue Reading Eight steps to safer food
Foodborne Illness victims to testify
By Food Poisoning Attorney on
Posted in Food Poisoning Watch
The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations issued a press release today stating that it will hold a hearing titled, "A Diminished Capacity: can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation’s Food Supply?" on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.
Attorney…