Committee amends, passes food safety act

The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 came one step closer to being enacted after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed it by unanimous voice vote June 17.
H.R. 2749 would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to inspect high-risk food facilities at least once a year and require companies to keep detailed records to help the FDA more quickly trace tainted foods.
Although the bill was amended, the American Meat Institute presented new concerns over the bill because of the effect it would have on FDA-regulated products that are used as ingredients in some meat and poultry in addition to setting inspection precedents for the meat and poultry industries.
The bill is set to move to the House of Representatives for consideration.