A House bill would require any facility handling or processing food for consumption in the United States to register with the Food and Drug Administration. Introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) Oct. 30, the measure (H.R. 3184) would also require the secretary of health and human services to compile and maintain an up-to-date list of registered facilities.
The bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act aims to protect the U.S. food supply against bioterrorism.
Under the measure, manufacturers or importers of food would be required to provide FDA with advance notice of importation before importation. The legislation would authorize the HHS secretary to suspend registration. Moreover, any food "reasonably" believed to be adulterated or misbranded could be detained by FDA for not more than 20 days, pending action.
FDA Mandatory Recalls Authorized
If epidemiological evidence shows that a food would pose an immediate risk to public health, FDA would be authorized to take enforcement action.
The bill would also require food processors to notify FDA if food is adulterated or misbranded. FDA would have the authority to institute a mandatory recall.
Another provision would require each food facility to retain records to effect and monitor any recall authorized under the bill. FDA would have to have access to these records at all times. Imported food would have to be inspected and approved by an equivalent standard in its country of origin.
The measure would direct the National Institutes of Health to coordinate, expand, and intensify its foodborne illness programs.
Finally, the HHS secretary would award food safety grants to states to expand surveillance and information programs under PulseNet and FoodNet.
The measure was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
