WASHINGTON - House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats released on Wednesday a draft version of food safety legislation they hope to mark up next month. The draft is based on more comprehensive legislation that addressed safety issues with pharmaceuticals and medical devices that committee leaders proposed in January.
The committee plans to hold a hearing on the measure a week from Wednesday. The draft was introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Democratic Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak, both of Michigan; Frank Pallone of New Jersey; Diana DeGette of Colorado; and Betty Sutton of Ohio.
The new draft sets $1,000 annual registration fees for food companies to help pay for increased FDA inspections. Inspection intervals are set more frequently depending on the risk of the product being sold, ranging from as often as every six months for high-risk products to every three years for low-risk companies. The Grocery Manufacturers of America released a statement criticizing the registration fees. The food lobby said the fees come at a particularly bad time for companies and consumers, and it argues they create a conflict of interest because food companies will be funding their government inspections.
----------------------
See also the Washington Post article on this development.
Latest from Quality Assurance & Food Safety
- FDA, CDC Investigate Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Live It Up Dietary Supplement Powder
- USDA FSIS Announces New Deputy Administrator of Field Operations
- ProVeg Incubator Launches Fast-Track to Impact Program for Alt-Protein Startups
- Kerry Releases 2026 Global Taste Charts
- FDA Shares Australia Certificate Requirements for Bivalve Molluscs and Related Products
- FDA Announces Update from CFIA on Certificate Requirements for Certain Meat, Poultry Products
- NIMA Partners Introduces the Next-Generation NIMA Gluten Sensor
- IFT to Host Community Conversation on Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 Report
