Georgia Eyes Food Safety Violation Fines

ATLANTAThe Georgia Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment on proposed new legislation that would allow the state to levy heavy fines against food processors that don't conduct mandatory contamination testing or hide the results.

As reported by the Associated Press, failing to test products for contamination would carry a $5,000 fine for each violation; hiding a test showing contamination would carry a $7,500 fine for each violation.

Knowingly shipping contaminated products is a felony in Georgia punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $20,000 fine.