U.S. Lawmakers Increase Focus on Food Safety Oversight

By Mike Rozembajgier

In response to the continuing European E. coli crisis, American lawmakers are taking a closer look at the oversight and regulation of domestic food supplies. With European authorities still uncertain about the source of the contamination and the outbreak continuing to threaten populations in the EU, greater focus is being given to how the regulatory structures in place here in the U.S. would be able to manage a similar food safety problem. Their concerns include the identification of the source of an outbreak and subsequent product tracing and recall management.

While the EU crisis involves fresh produce, U.S. officials are taking steps to ensure the safety of all food products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced legislation that targets high-risk pathogens in domestic meat supplies, including strains of E. coli that are not currently monitored. As part of her proposal, plants that produce ground beef would be required to test their products more frequently. Foreign facilities would have to certify that their products have been tested for E. coli, and their domestic importers would have to re-test products to ensure that they are not contaminated.

Although American beef products are already tested for the most common strains of E. coli, less common strains such as the one that causing is causing the European outbreak often are not. Sen. Gillibrand is proposing that additional tests be conducted so that any toxic strains of E. coli are accounted for. The legislation also gives the USDA the authority to search for and regulate new toxic strains that may be found in the future.

This latest legislative proposal builds on previous efforts to strengthen food supply oversight, including the Recall Notification Act (RNA) introduced by Sen. Gillibrand and signed into law as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act earlier this year.

Under the RNA, the FDA is required to provide one-page summaries of recall information to grocery stores. Grocery stores are then required either to display the FDA recall summaries in prominent areas visible to customers or send out notifications to customers within 24 hours of the FDA releasing the information. This recall alert system is a good example of a proactive approach to identification and prevention of the spread of contaminated food through advanced warning and communication. Failure to comply with the recall provisions detailed in the RNA could result in a fine of up $10,000 and up to three years in prison.

The latest food crisis in Europe once again underscores the importance of effective warning systems and the need for carefully planned recall compliance strategies.  A comprehensive and thorough recall management plan is essential when dealing with the high risks associated with food contamination.

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