Happy 2010! Please receive our best wishes for a most healthy and prosperous New Year. Your FPSA staff looks forward to working with you toward an exciting and productive beginning of this second decade of the 21st century.
Well, it finally happened. In the wee hours of Christmas Eve, the Senate passed its version of the legislative behemoth affectionately (or not) called “The Health Care Reform Bill”. Although the legislation is not yet finalized there is a palpable feeling by members of Congress of “good riddance” and the hope that they can now move forward and address other pressing issues facing our country.
While it appeared that health care was the singular issue occupying our legislature, there was activity that foreshadowed what may be one of the biggest issues of 2010. On November 18, 2009, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) held a markup and passed S. 510, the “Food Safety Modernization Act.” S.510 is a comprehensive piece of food safety legislation that has strong bipartisan support and is expected to pass in 2010, during the second half of the 111th session of Congress.
On November 30, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a bill entitled, “The Processed Food Safety Act”. The bill amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, to require processors of food products to certify that the food product has undergone pathogen reduction treatment or that the corporation has tested and certified that the ingredient(s) contain no verifiable traces of pathogens.
In the introduction of her bill on the floor Senator Feinstein stated, “The Processed Food Safety Act puts the responsibility for food safety back where it belongs. This legislation protects consumers and keeps our food safe.” She later adds a statement that requires no reading between the lines, “…this act will force (emphasis is mine) companies to produce safe foods. And it will let consumers know that their health is more important than the financial interests of the food industry.”
As we start a new year filled with uncertainties, one given that we can be sure of is that there will be additional bills introduced in both the House and Senate that will address the food safety issue. It the one of the preeminent issues occupying the American consumer as reported by Food Safety Monitor on Dec. 29, 2009: “In a survey conducted by Hunter Public Relations, consumers were asked what the most memorable food stories of 2009 were and the past decade and food safety was ranked at or near the top of both lists”.
And, we can be sure that our elected representatives, ever mindful of public opinion, will address those concerns in 2010. I can assure you that FPSA will continue to monitor and involve ourselves in all food safety issues which impact your business.
Stay tuned for a very exciting year!
David Seckman
President and CEO, FPSA
