Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the FDA is releasing its first proposed rules as part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act – the first major, comprehensive update to America’s food safety laws in over a century – that was signed into law two years ago. The first rules will regulate the safety of fresh produce and set new preventive measures at food manufacturers.
Senator Gillibrand joined with Senate colleagues to urge the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue the rules after helping to pass the overall bill, which also included a key measure authored and introduced by Senator Gillibrand that requires grocery stores and food distributers to effectively and proactively alert consumers when food recalls occur.
“These are strong first steps to finally help give American families more confidence in the safety of the food we eat,” Senator Gillibrand said. “We’ve endured too many outbreaks and illnesses, and lost too many lives to foodborne illnesses that can be prevented. It’s time to get serious about protecting our food supply and implement all necessary rules so we can keep our families safe.”
The newly issued FDA rules include:
- Produce Standards: This rule includes standards for worker hygiene, irrigation water, equipment and use of manure. The rule would apply only to produce that is usually consumed raw. The rule also would require farms to protect farms from contamination by livestock and wildlife.
- Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) Food Inspection Plans: This rule would require manufacturers to have HACCP plans for preventing and correcting foodborne hazards. It includes proposed standards for a written food safety plan, hazard analysis, preventive controls, monitoring, corrective actions and recordkeeping.
Senator Gillibrand’s letters to OMB calling for the rules to be issued are attached.