In a rare case of bipartisanship, the Senate passed a $1.4 billion food safety bill today designed to grant the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over recalls, among other safety measures aimed at preventing dangerous food-borne illness outbreaks. Part of the bill, however, ensured that federal earmarks, often referred to as "pork," would not be banned.
The FDA struggled to contain a number of high-profile food contamination outbreaks this year -- including E. coli found in cheese, eggs and produce -- in part because it lacked authority and key resources, The Associated Press reported. Accordingly, the new bill emphasizes ways to prevent outbreaks before they begin, instead of trying to track down food that is already contaminated.
Opponents argued that the bill, which calls for producers to participate in extensive food monitoring operations, would bankrupt small businesses. In response, senators were challenged with drawing up a bill that enforces stricter food standards while keeping local growers in the market.
Surge Desk offers a look at some of the bill's key provisions:
1. Earmarks are here to stay, for now
The bill contained several amendments unrelated to food safety, notably an amendment to ban earmarks, or provisions that direct funding toward lawmakers' special "pet projects," for two years. Those who voted for the ban argue that an amendment imposing a moratorium on earmarking would have prevented the food safety bill from passing in the House.
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., who voted in favor of the ban, vowed to keep fighting earmarking despite the Senate's decision. In a statement, he said:
2. The FDA will have greater authorityWhen it comes to budgeting, earmarks are a frustrating -- and ultimately dangerous -- example of the tail wagging the dog. Too many lawmakers are so focused on protecting their earmarks, they turn a blind eye to excessive spending bills. Holding government accountable and being good stewards of the public dollar become an afterthought.
As it stands, the FDA has to jump through a number of hoops to recall food. Normally, when a food is found to be contaminated, the FDA negotiates with business to work out a way for producers to voluntary recall foods, similar to what happens in the case of product recalls. In contrast, the new bill gives the FDA direct authority to recall tainted foods if businesses do not agree to a voluntary recall first.
3. Companies must be transparent about food production
Under the bill, companies must be completely transparent about how food is produced, letting the FDA know what safety measures are in place at all stages of production. Because this system of close monitoring is costly, the bill includes provisions exempting small business from some operations required of bigger producers, like submitting detailed plans for food safety.
4. More resources will go toward inspection of imported food
Both domestic and foreign foods would undergo frequent and thorough inspection under the new bill. High-risk domestic food facilities must be inspected every three years, and imported food must pass stricter safety standards.
5. What about the beef?
Because meat, poultry and processed eggs are regulated by the Agriculture Department, which operates under more rigorous inspection standards than the FDA, the production of these foods will not be affected by the new bill.
Follow Surge Desk on Twitter.
