Feinstein Introduces Bill to Reform Food Inspection

WASHINGTONSen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation Nov. 30 to require food producers to take responsibility for keeping food free from harmful pathogens. The bill would amend the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale of any food that has not been certified to be pathogen free.

The bill would requires that labels on ground beef, or any other ground meat product, specifically name every cut of meat that is contained in the product, and; does away with loopholes in current laws that allow for producers to add coloring, synthetic flavorings and spices to their products without informing the consumer.

Food producers must be obligated to produce food that is free of pathogens, Feinstein said. It is the responsibility of the food producer, not the consumer, to make sure our food safe to eat. Serious reform is needed. This bill would require companies that process any kind of food, from ground beef to frozen pot pies, to test their finished products and their ingredients to make sure that they are safe to eat and pathogen free.