Strengthening The Food And Drug Administration

Press Release

Recently, there have been several reports of food-borne illnesses. These recurring problems demand action from the 111th Congress, and that is why I am a proud sponsor of the Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act of 2009 (the Safe FEAST Act).

Although America's food supply remains one of the safest in the world, its food safety laws need to be updated and improved. Much has changed since the last major reforms during the Eisenhower Administration, and while America's farmers and manufacturers are doing all they can to uphold safety regulations, modernization is necessary. An outdated food safety system puts Americans at risk and decreases consumer-confidence. Those costs to public health and economy aren't ones we can afford at this stressful moment in our nation's history.

The FDA needs to have the ability to respond forcefully and effectively to food safety threats. The Safe FEAST Act would give the FDA expanded access to facility records if the Secretary has reason to believe food is contaminated. In addition, the bill would expand current registration requirements by mandating that all food facilities and importers register with the FDA and renew twice a year. The Act would establish a risk-based approach to inspections, giving greater scrutiny to facilities posing greater risks. Perhaps most importantly, the bill would give the FDA Commissioner the authority to order mandatory food recalls when firms fail to voluntarily recall dangerous products.

Another primary objective of the bill is to improve coordination between federal and state agencies so that food safety threats can be better prevented, identified, and controlled. To that end, the Safe FEAST Act would require a report to Congress by the coordinating councils for agriculture and food defense, which are led by the Department of Health and Human Services. These councils, designed to improve information-sharing between government and private sector partners, are an essential component of our food safety system.

A proactive, scientific strategy for detecting and responding to foodborne illnesses is another vital part of a modern food safety protocol. To that end, the bill requires domestic and foreign companies selling food in the U.S. to conduct science-based risk analysis, through which potential sources of contamination can be identified and controlled before they become problematic. These food safety controls would be subject to review by the FDA.

The recent discovery of contaminated infant formula in China draws attention to the global nature of our food safety concerns. The Foreign Suppliers Quality Assurance Program would verify that all imported goods are in compliance with FDA regulations, requiring importers to complete a foreign supplier food safety plan. The FDA would be able to deny the importation of goods if strict safety standards fail to be met.

It is my hope that this legislation will help restore confidence in the safety of America's food supply while protecting the public health. As always, please feel free to contact me in Washington, D.C. or in Des Moines at 515-282-1909.

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