Proposed FDA Center Would Study Western Produce in California’s Central Valley

WASHINGTON — The Central Valley could land a new federal food research center thanks to a Democrat's persistence and a Republican's political unraveling.

If established as planned at the University of California at Davis, the new Food and Drug Administration center would help scientists study the safety of Western fruits and vegetables. It would also be the first federal facility of its kind in a region famed for agriculture.

"Food safety is something that we need to take a very good look at," Kings County Agricultural Commissioner Tim Niswander said.

The 20 or so scientists expected to join the proposed FDA "Center of Excellence" would collaborate with other researchers on projects like protecting California spinach from contamination. University officials describe the center as "urgently needed" in the wake of last year's E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 187 people.

To jump-start the proposed center, the Senate Appropriations Committee is offering $2 million. The money is included in a fiscal 2008 spending bill set for Senate approval sometime this month.

Read the full Fresno Bee story here.