New Food Safety Bill Proposed

Wash. D.C.--House Energy and Commerce Democrats introduced food and drug import safety legislation September 20. The bill would increase funding for the Food and Drug Administration to conduct inspections, give FDA recall authority and reduce the number of points where food can enter the U.S. The bill includes an estimated $500 million in user fees for inspections both domestic and overseas. Also: House Passes 'Popcorn Lung' Bill. The House on September 26 approved the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Protection Act, which is designed to regulate the exposure of workers at food processing plants to diacetyl. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate. On September 25, the Bush administration said it is opposed to the measure, which requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a standard to minimize workers exposure to diacetyl in popcorn and flavor manufacturing plants. Employers would be required to develop a written exposure control plan and conduct medical monitoring of workers. Foodbusinessnews.net.