Klobuchar Announces Food Safety Bill Signed into Law

Press Release

Law includes Klobuchar provision based on Minnesota model to help prevent outbreaks and improve response to food safety issues

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that the President has signed the Food Safety Modernization Act into law. Klobuchar has been one of the leading voices in support of this bipartisan legislation, which will strengthen the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) ability to ensure a safer food supply and help prevent contaminated food from reaching consumers. The legislation includes a provision authored by Klobuchar that will improve food safety surveillance and is modeled after the success of the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and University of Minnesota.

"The first responsibility of government is to protect its citizens," Klobuchar said. "Ensuring a rapid response to outbreaks of contaminated food is critical to maintaining public trust in our food supply. This law will make necessary changes to help keep consumers safe and improve the security of our food supply."

The Food Safety Modernization Act will overhaul the nation's food safety system and strengthen the FDA's capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The bill will increase FDA inspections at all food facilities and give the FDA the authority to order a mandatory recall of contaminated food products.

Klobuchar has led the effort to reform the nation's food safety system, and the law includes a bipartisan provision, authored by Klobuchar and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), that will improve federal, state, and local officials' ability to investigate outbreaks. The provision will promote a more rapid and effective national response to outbreaks of foodborne sickness.

The legislation has received support from various businesses in Minnesota, including SUPERVALU, Hormel, General Mills, and Schwann's, as well as the Consumer Federation of America, American Feed Industry Association, American Spice Trade Association, American Frozen Food Institute, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Source