zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Countering Information Warfare Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that:

 foreign governments, including the governments of the Russian Federation and China, use disinformation and other propaganda tools to undermine the national security objectives of the United States and key allies and partners; the U.S. government should develop a comprehensive strategy to counter foreign disinformation and propaganda and assert leadership in developing a fact-based strategic narrative; and an important element of this strategy should be to promote an independent press in countries that are vulnerable to foreign disinformation. The Department of State shall establish a Center for Information Analysis and Response to:

 lead and coordinate the collection and analysis of information on foreign government information warfare efforts; establish a framework for the integration of critical data and analysis on foreign propaganda and disinformation efforts into the development of national strategy; and develop and synchronize government initiatives to expose and counter foreign information operations directed against U.S. national security interests and advance fact-based narratives that support U.S. allies and interests. When selecting participants for U.S. educational and cultural exchange programs, special consideration shall be given to students and community leaders from populations and countries deemed vulnerable to foreign propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code with respect to denial of a foreign state's sovereign immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. or state courts in commercial activity cases where rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue and that property, or any property exchanged for it, is: (1) present in the United States in connection with a commercial activity carried on by the foreign state in the United States, or (2) owned by an agency or instrumentality of the foreign state and that agency or instrumentality is engaged in a commercial activity in the United States.

The bill grants a foreign state or certain carriers immunity from federal or state court jurisdiction for any activity in the United States associated with a temporary exhibition or display of a work of art or other object of cultural significance if:

 the work of art or other object of cultural significance is imported into the United States from any foreign country pursuant to an agreement for its temporary exhibition or display between a foreign state that is its owner or custodian and the United States or U.S. cultural or educational institutions; and the President has determined that such work is culturally significant and its temporary exhibition or display is in the national interest. The bill denies immunity, however, in cases concerning rights in property taken in violation of international law in which the action is based upon a claim that the work was taken: (1) between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, by the government of Germany or any government in Europe occupied, assisted, or allied by the German government; or (2) after 1900 in connection with the acts of a foreign government against members of a targeted group as part of a similar systematic confiscation or misappropriation of works. For purposes of these denials of immunity, the court must determine that the activity associated with the exhibition or display is commercial and that determination must be necessary for the court to exercise jurisdiction over the foreign state.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Law
State-Owned Entity Transparency and Accountability Reform Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal judicial code to allow U.S. courts to hear cases against a foreign state's corporate affiliates under the exception to foreign sovereign immunity that subjects a foreign state's commercial activities to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.

In determining whether a U.S. court has jurisdiction to hear a case based on the commercial activity of a foreign state, a commercial activity of an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state is attributable to any corporate affiliate of the agency or instrumentality that: (1) directly or indirectly owns a majority of shares of the agency or instrumentality, and (2) is also an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state.

Date: 2016-09-14
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Law
Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to deem as adulterated food that is: (1) produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied; (2) derived from poultry that were raised, or that consumed animal feed produced, on such land; and (3) derived from livestock that grazed, or consumed animal feed produced, on such land. Permits exceptions if: (1) the application of sewage sludge ended more than one year before producing food, raising poultry, producing animal feed, or grazing livestock; (2) the food labeling includes notice that is was produced on such land; or (3) a sign providing such notice is posted in close proximity to the product for those foods generally offered for sale without labeling. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify the prohibition on the use of sewage sludge in organic food production under the National Organic Program of the Department of Agriculture.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act - States that it is U.S. policy that all nonambulatory livestock in interstate and foreign commerce be immediately and humanely euthanized when such livestock become nonambulatory. Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Requires an entity to: (1) humanely euthanize nonambulatory livestock (while not limiting the Secretary's ability to test nonambulatory livestock for disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy); and (2) not move nonambulatory livestock while such livestock is conscious, and ensure that such livestock remains unconscious until death. Prohibits an inspector at an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory livestock, carcass, or carcass parts through inspection. Requires an inspector or other employee at such establishment to label such material as "inspected and condemned." Defines "covered entity," "nonambulatory livestock," and "humanely euthanize."

Date: 2007-01-24
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Cloned Food Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act to deem as misbranded a food or meat food product that contains any part of a cloned animal and does not bear a conspicuous label including a notice of that information. Requires individuals to maintain a verifiable recordkeeping audit trail that will permit verification of compliance with this Act. Deems as misbranded a food that bears a label indicating that it does not contain cloned product, unless the label is in accordance with applicable regulations that may not: (1) require such a label to include a statement indicating that the fact that a food does not contain such product has no bearing on the safety of the food for human consumption; and (2) prohibit such a label on the basis that, in the case of the type of food involved, there is no version of the food in commercial distribution that does contain such product. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act. Exempts a person who establishes a guaranty, signed by the person residing in the United States from whom the food was received in good faith, that the food does not contain any cloned product. Allows a person to commence a civil action against a person who is alleged to have violated this Act or the applicable Secretary where a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty that is not discretionary is alleged.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Safe Food Act of 2007 - Establishes the Food Safety Administration to administer and enforce food safety laws. Directs the Administrator of the Food Safety Administration to: (1) promulgate regulations to ensure the security of the food supply from all forms of contamination; (2) implement federal food safety inspection, enforcement, and research efforts to protect the public health; (3) develop consistent and science-based standards for safe food; and (4) prioritize federal food safety efforts and deployment of resources to achieve the greatest possible benefit in reducing food-borne illness. Transfers to the Administration all functions of specified federal agencies that relate to the administration or enforcement of food safety laws. Requires the Administrator to: (1) administer a national food safety program based on an analysis of the hazards associated with different food and the processing of different food; (2) establish standards for processors of food and food establishments; (3) establish a certification system for foreign governments or food establishments seeking to import food to the United States; (4) establish requirements for tracing food and food producing animals from point of origin to retail sale; (5) maintain an active surveillance system of food, food products, and epidemiological evidence; (6) establish a sampling system to monitor contaminants in food; (7) rank and analyze hazards in the food supply; (8) establish a national public education campaign on food safety; and (9) conduct research relating to food safety. Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited acts, administrative detention, condemnation, temporary holds, recall, penalties for violations of food safety laws, whistle blower protection, and civil actions.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to prohibit the labeling of cloned livestock and products derived from cloned livestock as organic. Defines "cloned livestock" as: (1) livestock produced as the result of somatic cell nuclear transfer or other asexual reproduction technologies; and (2) the progeny of such livestock.

Date: 2007-03-07
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to authorize the interstate distribution of state inspected meat and poultry if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that state inspection requirements are at least equal to federal inspection requirements. Provides partial state reimbursement for inspection costs.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require a person that has reason to believe that any food introduced into interstate commerce may be in violation of the FFDCA to immediately notify the Secretary of the Health and Human Services of the identity and location of the food.Requires the Secretary, upon a determination that such food is in violation of the FFDCA and that there is a reasonable probability that the food, if consumed, would present a threat to the public health, to give appropriate persons an opportunity to: (1) cease distribution of the food; (2) notify all relevant persons to cease distribution of the food; (3) recall the food; and (4) provide notice to consumers and public health officials. Authorizes the Secretary to control and possess the food and to order the person to immediately cease distribution of the food if the person refuses or does not adequately carry out such actions.Sets forth certification and inspection requirements for foreign governments and foreign firms seeking to import food into the Unites States.Directs the Secretary to take certain action during an ongoing recall of human or pet food, including posting information regarding recalled products on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) processing and ingredient standards for feed, pet food, animal waste, and ingredient definitions; (2) update standards for pet food labeling that includes nutritional information and ingredient information; and (3) an early warning and surveillance system to identify contaminations of the pet food supply and outbreaks of illness from pet food.

Date: 2007-05-02
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Health Freedom Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to provide that a food or dietary supplement is not a drug solely because the label or labeling contains a claim to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from: (1) restricting the reprinting and distribution or sale of any U.S. government publication or any accurate quotations of such a publication, including content concerning nutrients and disease treatment or prevention; or (2) construing the distribution or sale of, or accurate quotation from, such a publication in connection with the sale of a food or dietary supplement as evidence of an intent to sell that food or dietary supplement as a drug. Requires the Secretary to allow claims on food or nutrient labeling that characterize the relationship of a nutrient to the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of a disease (with no more than a three-sentence disclaimer) unless the Secretary proves by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) there is no scientific evidence that supports the claim; and (2) the claim is inherently misleading and incapable of being rendered nonmisleading through the addition of a disclaimer. Authorizes the use of specified health claims on the label of all foods and dietary supplements, including claims related to saw palmetto, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and calcium. Allows a statement for a dietary supplement to include words that are recognized as signs or symptoms of disease so long as the statement does not include the name of a specific disease. Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to exempt from being regulated as advertising: (1) government publications exempted from reprinting or distribution restrictions under FFDCA; or (2) accurate summaries of scientific publications. Places the burden of proof that an advertisement for a dietary supplement or ingredient is false and misleading on the Federal Trade Commission.

Date: 2007-05-02
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2007 - Rewrites and renames title III (currently titled,"Federal and State Cooperation") of the Federal Meat Inspection Act as "State Meat Inspection Programs." States that: (1) the goal of a safe and wholesome supply of meat and meat food products would be better served if a consistent set of requirements were applied to all meat and meat food products whether produced under state or federal inspection; (2) under such a system state and federal meat inspection programs would function together to ensure food safety; and (3) such a system would ensure the viability of state meat inspection programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to approve a qualifying state meat inspection program and allow the shipment in commerce of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products so inspected. Sets forth eligibility requirements, including that a state must enforce the requirements of titles I, II, and IV of the Act and enter into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to review approved plans annually. Directs the Secretary to review each state's meat and poultry inspection program, which shall include: (1) a determination of the plan's effectiveness; and (2) identification of changes necessary to ensure enforcement of federal inspection requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with a state that, among other things: (1) establishes the terms governing the relationship between a state program and the Secretary; (2) requires a state to adopt provisions identical to titles I, II, and IV of the Act; and (3) meets labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to reimburse a state for at least 50% of the state's costs of meeting federal requirements. Prohibits from state inspection plan participation establishments that have more than 50 employees, except for those subject to state inspection as of 90 days after the effective date of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to temporarily suspend or take over a noncomplying state program (or an establishment). Permits an establishment in a state with an approved state program to apply for either state or federal inspection. Exempts from such inspection provisions retail stores and restaurants (including specified central kitchen facilities) if the operations are conducted for sale of such prepared articles in normal retail quantities or for service of the articles to consumers at such establishment. Makes similar amendments to the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Prohibits a state or local government from prohibiting or restricting in interstate commerce the movement or sale of meat or meat food products that have been inspected and passed in accordance with the Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

Date: 2007-05-15
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Market Incentives for Biobased Products Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to revise labeling requirements for federal procurement of biobased products, including providing for consultation with other federal agencies and interested nongovernmental groups. Extends and revises funding provisions to provide for separate authorization of appropriations for: (1) federal procurement; (2) testing; and (3) labeling. Revises reporting provisions.

Date: 2007-06-15
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Safe Interstate Meat Shipment Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to permit interstate distribution of state-inspected meat and poultry under specified circumstances.

Date: 2007-06-27
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Foreign Seafood Safety Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the importation into the United States of any seafood or seafood product capable of use as human food from any foreign country unless: (1) the country applies for, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services issues, a certification finding that the country maintains seafood safety and inspection programs that use reliable analytical methods and that are at least as protective of human health as U.S. programs; and (2) such certification remains in effect.Directs the Secretary to: (1) periodically review such certifications; (2) revoke such certifications if the country involved is not maintaining seafood safety programs that meet the standards described in this Act; and (3) inspect individual establishments to ensure that the seafood safety programs of the foreign country involved meet such standards.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Carbon Monoxide Treated Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Safe Handling, Labeling, and Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make changes to the definition of "color additive" to include carbon monoxide that may impart, maintain, preserve, stabilize, fix, or otherwise affect the color of fresh meat, poultry products, or seafood, unless the label of such food bears, prominently and conspicuously, a specified statement that advises consumers: (1) that carbon monoxide has been used to preserve the color of the product; (2) not to rely on the color or the "use or freeze by" date alone to judge the freshness or safety of the product; and (3) to discard any product with an unpleasant odor, slime, or a bulging package.Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish alternative labeling requirements, not earlier than five years after the effective date of this Act, if: (1) such statement is no longer required to prevent consumer deception and other harms; and (2) such alternative requirements are shown to be adequate and effective in preventing consumer deception and other harms related to the conditions of use of carbon monoxide.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Safe and Fair Enforcement and Recall for Meat, Poultry and Food Act of 2007 or SAFER Meat, Poultry and Food Act of 2007- Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) require a person, other than a household consumer, who has reason to believe meat, poultry, or food products to be adulterated or misbranded to so notify the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate; (2) provide the Secretary of Agriculture with authority for voluntary (by transporters, shippers, distributors, and handlers) and mandatory (upon the failure of voluntary action) nondistribution and recall, withdrawal of inspectors from violating facilities, consumer and health official notification, and imposition of civil penalties; and (3) provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with authority for voluntary (by transporters, shippers, distributors, and handlers) and mandatory (upon the failure of voluntary action) nondistribution and recall, consumer and health official notification, and imposition of civil penalties.

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination Everywhere Act of 2007 or TRACE Act of 2007- Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food. States that cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules and other equines, and poultry presented for slaughter for human consumption, and the carcasses or parts of carcasses and the meat and food products of those animals, shipped in interstate commerce shall be identified in a manner that enables the Secretary to trace: (1) each animal to any location at which the animal was held at any time before slaughter; and (2) each carcass or part of a carcass and food product forward from slaughter through processing and distribution to the ultimate consumer. Directs the Secretary to establish a traceability system for all stages of production, processing, and distribution of meat and meat food products produced through the slaughter of such animals. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) prohibit or restrict entry to a slaughtering establishment of an animal not so identified; and (2) require a person or entity to maintain records. Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Egg Products Inspection Act to establish similar provisions for poultry and poultry products and for eggs and egg products.

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Consumer Food Safety Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) administer a national program to protect human health by ensuring that the food industry has effective programs to assure the safety of food; (2) prescribe regulations regarding harmful substances in food, registration of facilities, sanitary food processing, proper labeling, processing controls, and inspections of registered facilities; (3) establish tolerances to limit the quantity of contaminants in food; (4) establish a system to ensure the safety of imported food; (5) include food in an active surveillance system; (6) establish guidelines for a sampling system of food products; (7) rank food categories based on their health hazard and identify approaches to minimize such hazards; and (8) design and implement a food safety education program. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require notification of the Secretary of any adulterated or misbranded food. Sets forth provisions regarding ceasing distribution of food, recalls, and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits any person from being discriminated against because that person participated in any way in carrying out the purpose of specified federal food laws or refused to violate any law, rule, or regulation. Allows the Secretary to impose traceability requirements on a type or class of food product as necessary to assure the protection of the public health. Allows civil actions against the Secretary for failing to perform any nondiscretionary act or duty to ensure the safety of food products.

Date: 2007-09-20
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Trans Fat Truth in Labeling Act of 2007 - Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to promulgate a final regulation revising federal regulations applicable to the declaration of the trans fat content on a food label to require that if the trans fat content of a serving of a food is less than .5 grams and is declared in the nutrition information on the label or in the labeling of the food, such content shall be expressed through the use of an asterisk or other notation stating that such content is less than .5 grams (instead of zero).

Date: 2007-10-09
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Menu Education and Labeling Act or the MEAL Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require restaurants that are a part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same trade name to disclose: (1) in a statement adjacent to each menu item, the number of calories, grams of saturated fat plus trans fat, and milligrams of sodium in a standard food serving; (2) other information designed to enable the public to understand the significance of the nutrition information provided in the context of a total daily diet; (3) that such information shall be provided in writing upon request; and (4) in a statement adjacent to the name of the food on a menu board, the number of calories in a serving of the food. Exempts condiments, items placed on a table or counter for general use, daily specials, temporary menu items, and irregular menu items from these requirements. Requires restaurants that sell self-serve food, such as through salad bars or buffet lines, to place a sign that lists the number of calories per standard serving adjacent to each food offered. Permits retail food establishments to voluntarily provide, and states to require, additional nutritional information. Requires vending machine operators to provide a conspicuous sign disclosing the number of calories in each item of food offered.

Date: 2007-10-18
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Imported Food Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to refuse admission into the United States of any food (or any type of food) from a country, growing area, producer, manufacturer, or shipper if the Secretary determines that such food: (1) has been associated with repeated and separate outbreaks of foodborne disease or has been repeatedly determined to be adulterated; (2) presents a reasonable probability of causing significant adverse health consequences or death; and (3) is likely, without systemic intervention or changes, to cause disease or be adulterated again.Directs the Secretary to rescind such a determination if it is no longer justified because of remedial action or other circumstances. Sets forth procedures for review of such determinations.Authorizes the Secretary to make an emergency determination to refuse admission to food that has been strongly associated with a single outbreak of foodborne disease that has caused serious adverse health consequences or death. Requires that any refusal to admit food under this Act be done in a manner consistent with bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements.Provides that nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to diminish the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to ensure the safety of food.

Date: 2007-10-25
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Authorizes the delivery into interstate traffic of any unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk product in final package form for human consumption if such product is: (1) produced in a state that allows the sale of unpasteurized milk and/or unpasteurized milk products in final package form; (2) delivered into interstate traffic in that state; and (3) intended for transport to and sale in another state that allows the sale of unpasteurized milk and or unpasteurized milk products in final package form.

Date: 2007-11-05
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Freshness Disclosure Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem food to be misbranded unless its label bears information on freshness. Requires the label to state a date upon which the food will no longer be fresh (i.e., contain the quantity of nutrients specified on the label and otherwise be not adulterated and of acceptable quality). Requires such date to be preceded by "best if used by," and requires such label to be conspicuously located, easy to read, and in a type size no smaller than eight point. Directs that the freshness date be on the containers of any food sent to the seller of such food to consumers. Makes this Act inapplicable to any food that is exempt from nutrition labeling requirements.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Ingredient Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that a food shall be deemed to be misbranded if it contains any spice, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, any other animal product (including insects) unless its labeling bears a statement with appropriate prominence on the information panel providing that fact and the name of the meat, poultry, other animal product.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act to: (1) require an active tuberculosis screening for any individual seeking employment with a poultry or meat processing facility; and (2) prohibit the hiring of any individual who is determined to have active tuberculosis (permits such person's future hiring if no longer determined to have active tuberculosis).

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on: (1) the economic and trade impact of exports of food products from cloned animals; (2) Department of Agriculture programs to monitor products from cloned animals in the food supply; (3) the health effects and costs attributable to milk from cloned animals in the food supply; and (4) the safety of food products derived from cloned animals.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Unsafe Meat and Poultry Recall Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to: (1) direct a person (other than a household consumer or other exempted person) who believes a meat or poultry product that such person handled is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) direct the Secretary, upon a determination of a public health risk from such adulteration or misbranding, to permit the person to voluntarily provide handler notification, cease distribution, recall such product, and provide consumer notice; and (3) authorize the Secretary, in the case of noncompliance, to require that the person take such actions (other than consumer notice which shall be provided by the Secretary). Defines "person."

Date: 2008-02-28
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Fresh Produce Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish standards for good manufacturing practices for the minimal processing of produce, including standards related to sanitation and water.Requires the Secretary to provide for unannounced inspections of processing facilities to determine if produce processed in the facilities is in compliance with the requirements of this Act.Directs the Secretary to establish general standards for good agricultural practices for the production of raw agricultural commodities, including requirements related to manure, animals, water, and environmental conditions. Gives officers and employees duly designated by the Secretary the authority to inspect appropriate facilities to determine compliance with the standards for good agricultural practices.Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to establish and maintain an active surveillance system to assess the frequency and sources of human illness in the United States associated with the consumption of fresh produce. Directs the Commissioner and the Secretary of Agriculture to design and implement a national public education program on food safety relating to produce.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research to assist in the implementation of this Act and the requirements of the FFDCA that relate to produce.Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for equivalency with foreign countries that intend to export raw agricultural commodities and minimally processed produce to the United States.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding testing, inspections of foreign facilities, technical assistance of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, and labeling. Directs the Secretary to increase the number of laboratories certified to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Directs the Secretary to increase the number and capacity of laboratories operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) involved in testing and other activities under this Act, as provided for in appropriations Acts. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to refuse admission of all imports of seafood or seafood products originating from a country or exporter if that Secretary determines the shipments are not likely to meet federal requirements. Allows admittance of individual shipments from that country or exporter on evidence from an inspection or a certified laboratory. Authorizes the Secretary to send inspectors to an originating country or exporter.

Date: 2008-04-09
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Safety Recall Information Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require that a person that voluntarily recalls a meat product shall, not later than five days after the voluntary recall begins, submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a list of all retail stores or public school districts that are known to have purchased a meat product subject to the voluntary recall. Makes similar amendments to the the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Egg Products Inspection Act. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to prohibit the use of nonambulatory livestock for human food.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Keeping America's Food Safe Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require: (1) certification of any food safety laboratory or a sampling service that is analyzing, testing, or collecting samples of imported food; and (2) such laboratories or services to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services the results of all tests conducted on behalf of an importer.Sets forth civil penalties for: (1) an importer that knowingly engages in the falsification of test results submitted to the Secretary; and (2) a laboratory or service that knowingly submits false test results to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to establish a certification program to ensure that imported food meets the food safety standards applied to food produced in the United States.Prohibits food from being permitted entry into the United States from a foreign facility in a foreign country unless there are certifications from the facility and country.Sets forth certification requirements for foreign countries.Requires the Secretary to develop and maintain a website that: (1) provides information on federal food standards and best practice requirements for food preparation; (2) assists health professionals to improve their ability to diagnose and treat food-related illness and advise individuals whose health conditions place them at particular risk; and (3) promotes public awareness of food safety issues. Directs the Secretary to develop and maintain a website to provide the public with appropriate information on developing school curricula regarding food safety issues.Establishes whistle-blower's protections.

Date: 2008-04-16
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act of 2008 or Safe FEAST Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to grant the Secretary of Health and Human Services access to certain records relating to an article of food during a food-related emergency. Requires: (1) owners and operators of facilities engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for consumption in the United States (with specified exceptions) to take specified steps regarding hazard evaluation, implementation of risk-based preventive controls, monitoring and verification of control performance, corrective actions, recordkeeping, and facility inspection; and (2) the Secretary to establish minimum standards for implementation of those requirements. Prohibits operation of a facility that processes or packs food for sale in the United States if the operator has not conducted the required hazard analysis or implemented reasonably appropriate science-based preventive controls or has failed to conduct a required reanalysis or to have a plan documenting compliance with such requirements.Requires each U.S. importer to adopt and document a foreign supplier safety assurance program to assure that imported food is in compliance, is not adulterated, and does not pose a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death.Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) certification of imports by a competent authority of an exporting country; (2) establishment of a voluntary qualified importer program; (3) recognition of qualified laboratories for analyses of imported foods; (4) establishment of regulations for the safe production, harvesting, and packaging of fruits and vegetables; and (5) recognition of third party certification programs.Grants the Secretary mandatory recall authority of food that will cause serious adverse health consequences.Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan to expand the technical, scientific, and regulatory capacity of foreign governments and food industries from which foods are exported to the United States.

Date: 2008-04-24
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding testing, inspections of foreign facilities, technical assistance of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, and labeling. Directs the Secretary to increase the number of laboratories certified to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number and capacity of laboratories operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) involved in testing and other activities under this Act, as provided for in appropriations Acts. Authorizes the Secretary to send inspectors to an originating country or exporter.

Date: 2008-05-01
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Requires the periodic testing of such foods transferred along a chain of distribution to assure accuracy of labels, subject to specified exceptions. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. Excludes, for the FDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act. Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties, exempting recipients who accept a guarantee of the absence of genetically engineered material in good faith or producers whose food inadvertently becomes contaminated by genetically engineered material. Authorizes citizen suits as specified.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2007 [sic] - 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) develop, administer, and annually update a national food safety program based on a comprehensive analysis of the hazards associated with different food and with the processing of different food; and (2) ensure that persons who produce, process, or distribute food meet their responsibility to prevent or minimize food safety hazards related to their products. Sets forth requirements for the Administrator to carry out such duties, including: (1) requiring food establishments to register and adopt preventive process controls; (2) establishing and enforcing performance standards for food safety; (3) establishing an inspection program of food and facilities; (4) requiring imported food to meet the same standards as U.S. food; and (5) 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 dedicated to foodborne illness identification, outbreaks, and containment; (3) establish guidelines for a sampling system; (4) establish a national public education program on food safety; and (5) conduct research on food safety.Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited acts, administrative detention, condemnation, temporary holds, recalls, penalties for violations of food safety laws, whistleblower protections, and civil actions.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Labeling Education and Nutrition Act of 2008 or the LEAN Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize a food service establishment to provide nutrition information for a food item by: (1) providing calories and nutrient information required for food intended for human consumption; (2) disclosing such information in written form; and (3) making such disclosure available upon request prior to purchase.Requires the labeling of a standard food item served or offered for sale in a food service establishment that is part of a chain that operates 20 or more establishments under the same trade name to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, prior to the point of purchase: (1) the number of calories on a menu board, on a sign meeting certain requirements, in the menu, or as part of or supplement to the menu; (2) specified nutrient information, in writing and upon request; (3) a statement directing the consumer to the availability of additional nutrient information; and (4) a statement providing suggested daily caloric intake, on a menu or menu board that does not list calories.Declares a person to have knowingly or willfully violated the requirements of this Act if the person: (1) purposefully fails to make a disclosure required by this Act; or (2) makes a disclosure with the intent to deceive.Provides that a reasonable basis determination of nutrition information shall be required only once per standard food item if certain requirements are met.Preempts state laws not identical to this Act.

Date: 2008-09-27
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers from owning, controlling, or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with exceptions for: (1) animals held for not more than seven days before slaughter; (2) certain cooperatives that own, control or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; (3) packers that are not required to report price and quantity information on each reporting day; or (4) packers that own one livestock processing plant.

Date: 2007-01-16
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act of 2007 - States that it is U.S. policy that all nonambulatory livestock in interstate and foreign commerce be immediately and humanely euthanized when such livestock become nonambulatory. Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Requires an entity to: (1) humanely euthanize nonambulatory livestock (while not limiting the Secretary's ability to test nonambulatory livestock for disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy); and (2) not move nonambulatory livestock while such livestock is conscious, and ensure that such livestock remains unconscious until death. Prohibits an inspector at an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory livestock, carcass, or carcass parts through inspection. Requires an inspector or other employee at such establishment to label such material as "inspected and condemned." Defines "covered entity," "nonambulatory livestock," and "humanely euthanize."

Date: 2007-01-25
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food