• July 31, 2009

The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2749) passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 283 to 142 late Thursday.

The bill mandates greatly increased food facility inspections and other safety measures, and gives the FDA authority to issue mandatory recalls. It is expected to come before the Senate in the fall.

In the wake of a growing series of outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and recalls, and with bipartisan support and the backing of consumer and health groups for the bill, Washington insiders have described the bill's prospects for passage as very strong. --Karlene Lukovitz