Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-875
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2009-02-04 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Health and Human Services
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Research administration and funding
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: 
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Food Safety Administration. Assigns all the authorities and responsibilities of the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to food safety to the Administrator of Food Safety. 

Transfers to the Administration all functions of specified federal agencies that relate to the administration or enforcement of food safety laws. Renames the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Federal Drug and Device Administration.

Directs the Administrator to: (1) administer a national food safety program; and (2) ensure that persons who produce, process, or distribute food prevent or minimize food safety hazards. Sets forth requirements for the Administrator to carry out such duties, including: (1) requiring food establishments to adopt preventive process controls; (2) enforcing performance standards for food safety; (3) establishing an inspection program; (4) strengthening and expanding foodborne illness surveillance systems; (5) requiring imported food to meet the same standards as U.S. food; and (6) establishing a national traceability system for food.

 Requires the Administrator to: (1) identify priorities for food safety research and data collection; (2) maintain a DNA matching system and epidemiological system for foodborne illness identification, outbreaks, and containment; (3) establish guidelines for a sampling system; (4) establish a national public education program on food safety; (5) conduct research on food safety; and (6) establish a working group on foodborne illness surveillance.

Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop the Food-Borne Illness Health Registry.

Directs the Comptroller General to report on the federal resources being dedicated to foodborne illness and food safety research.

Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited acts, recalls, penalties for violations of food safety laws, whistleblower protections, and civil actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2009-02-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Referred to House Agriculture
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Introduced in House