Food Safety Bill Passes House as Part of Funding Resolution

Landmark food safety legislation cleared another hurdle Wednesday when the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution that funds the government through September 2011, and included the food safety bill and other measures. The resolution passed by a 212-206 margin.

The House food safety bill attached to the continuing resolution includes minor technical changes that address the Senate food bill's violation of a constitutional requirement that revenue-raising bills must arise in the House.

The Senate food safety bill, which passed Nov 30 on a 73-25 vote, included fees for processes such as food recalls, food facility re-inspections, and registration of food importers. However, after the Senate passed the bill, it became clear that the fees are technically considered taxes under the Constitution.

Both bills give the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more authority and responsibility and require food producers and processors to develop contamination reduction plans. But it was not immediately clear how closely the new House bill matches the Senate bill. The original House bill, which it passed in 2009, was considered stronger, but during the Senate debate on its own bill, House leaders signaled that they would likely support the Senate's version in order to move the bill toward final passage.

The fate of the food safety bill is still uncertain, because there is little time left in this Congress and Senate opponents could mount a filibuster. However, Democrats hope the bill's placement within the bigger spending bill may smooth its passage.

Read the full story at CIDRAP.