Skip to main content

Food Safety Legislation First Step

January 30, 2009

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today hailed the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009introduced by Chairman Emeritus John Dingell (D-MI), Chairman BartStupak (D-MI), and Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ). The measureincludes a mandatory recall provision built upon legislation introducedby DeGette, H.R. 3484, the SAFER Act.

"Congress is taking the critical step forward to restore publicconfidence in our nation's food safety system. With a record number offood recalls over the last year, we must ensure the safety of our foodproducts by giving government the tools to strengthen the system. Whiletainted foods have been recalled voluntarily, many should have happenedquicker to avoid further distribution of the contaminated product andsickness. The recent outbreak of salmonella in peanut butter and lastyear's jalapeno scare should be reason enough to move forward with thisimportant legislation. Giving the government mandatory recall authorityis imperative to ensure quick removal of contaminated products from ourgrocery stores before they reach our dinner tables.

"As a sponsor of the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of2009, I am confident that this ground-breaking food safety legislationwill begin to strengthen our food safety system. I am pleased that itincludes a mandatory recall provision that will allow the government totake swift action to ensure the safety of our food."

Signing on the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 today as a sponsor, U.S. Rep. DeGette also has championed H.R. 3485, the TRACE Act,which requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a producttracing system for all food products from their origin to the market,enabling faster and more complete recall in the event of contamination.U.S. Rep. DeGette plans on reintroducing both H.R. 3484 and 3485 soonduring the 111th Congress. She will be working with her colleagues onthe Energy and Commerce Committee to move these pieces of legislationforward.