Date: 2010-12-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. H.R. 2751. the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act would help expand the FDA authority to inspect records relating to food while increasing inspections on highrisk on food facilities. Through passage of this bill. a more accurate registry of all food facilities serving American consumers would exist. It is important to provide safe and clean food for the American people. who deserve nothing but the best. The safety and sanitation of food produced and distributed throughout the United States is of utmost importance. The health and well being of every person in this country hinges on the quality and effectiveness of the food inspection process. Without proper inspection. there is a possibility of contamination of foods and the spread of disease. In the spring of 2008. a case of salmonella spread throughout the country as a result of a single tainted pepper from a South Texas produce warehouse. This strain of salmonella sickened 1.251 people. led to the hospitalization of 229 people. and sadly. two deaths. Once the origin of the salmonella outbreak was determined. the FDA and other federal agencies took action and required the responsible parties to recall all produce that they thought may have been tainted. In the United States in 2010. at a time when we have the newest and greatest technologies at our disposal. outbreaks like the one mentioned should not take place. With improved and modernized safety inspections. such outbreaks can be avoided and prevented. It is because of stories like this that I am ever so moved to ensure that H.R. 2751. the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is passed in the House of Representatives and that it eventually becomes law. Passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will prevent such salmonella scares from happening again in the futurein Texas or in any state in the countryfor that matter. This bill would also allow for improved traceability of the history of food in the event of a food borne illness outbreak. Often time. when our country has been faced by serious food poisoning that have affected thousands of American people. we do not know where the food was produced or cultivated. This bill would bring an end to that. It is important for us to be ever cautious that could affect the well being and health of our children. elderly and family members. In addition to what I have mentioned. this bill would also make available a certificate of certain food importsrequiring all foods imported into the United States to meet all U.S. food safety requirements. The certificate would ensure that we are only allowing the safest and most healthy food into our country for consumption by the American people. Another important component of this legislation would ensure protection of whistleblowers that bring attention to important safety information pertaining to the food regulation and food safety. It is most vital that we afford those people who may know information about certain food the opportunity to inform authorities about any concerns they may have with their consumption. The bill contains important provisions that address the industry concerns. which include the elimination of the registration fee imposed on facilities participating in the food system. In addition. this legislation provides for a limited exemption for small food producers and processors that sell the majority of their food directly to consumers or to grocers within a circumscribed area and whose food sales are less than $500.000 per year. The legislation before the House of Representatives is supported by a range of consumer and industry groups. including the American Public Health Association. the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention. the Center for Public Interest. the Consumer Federation of America. the Grocery Manufacturers Association. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is time that we stand with this broadbased coalitions as we work to improve the food we eat and consume and know where exactly its coming from. These actions will only help our country. families and our American people from having safety and consumerfriendly produce. meats and dairy.