• November 30, 2010

The Senate Tuesday morning passed a food safety legislation bill that would greatly expand the Food and Drug Administration's inspection and enforcement powers.

However, with only a few days left in the current lame-duck Congressional session, final legislation passage remains uncertain. Since there is bipartisan support for the core legislative goals, it is considered possible that the House, which passed its own food safety bill last year, will pass the Senate version in order to avoid the reconciliation process to achieve legislation this year.

The bill passed by the Senate avoids some of the controversial elements that have stalled safety legislation for more than a year and a half.  For example, it would exempt small farmers/producers (those with under $500,000 in annual sales, whose products are largely distributed locally). Some members in both houses were concerned that these businesses would be threatened by the costs associated with adhering to new regulations.