Policy DevelopmentsStay abreast of legislative and regulatory activity.
Food Safety Legislation – August 23rd Update (PDF Download)
There is still a very real possibility that the 111th Congress will pass major food safety legislation before it ends. The House passed major food safety legislation, the “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009” (H.R. 2749), on July 30, 2009. This memorandum compares the main provision of the House-passed bill and the current version of the Senate Bill.
Food Safety Bill, HR 2749
Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - (Sec. 5) Exempts food and facilities regulated by the Secretary of Agriculture under specified acts from the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 6) Exempts specified alcohol-related facilities from the requirements of this Act.
Food Safety Bill, Senate, S510
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to expand the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to regulate food, including by authorizing the Secretary to suspend the registration of a food facility.
Third-party certification provisions
(PDF Download)
Traceability provisions
(PDF Download)
Performance Standards Provision (PDF Download)
GAO Report (PDF Download)
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published two reports containing recommendations for improvement of food regulatory activities by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
IOM Report on FDA Roll in Enhancing Food Safety (PDF download)
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) yesterday released a consensus report, entitled Enhancing Food Safety: The Role of the Food and Drug Administration. The report was requested by Congress and sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The IOM committee responsible for the report included representatives from academia, state government, and industry.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization S3307
The Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010, an original bill to reauthorize child nutrition programs.
Obesity Legislation
The "Healthy Choices Act" [H.R 5209] has been introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Kind (D-Wis) – The bill has the support of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the American Heart Association and others - The intent of the bill is to "... align federal food programs with existing governmental nutritional guidelines; make healthy foods affordable and accessible to children and adults most at risk, including rural and low-income urban areas; coordinate the federal response to addressing the obesity crisis (including realigning transportation policy to encourage healthier lifestyles); and provide children and adults with opportunities for physical activity, nutritional information and assessment tools..."
The Healthy Choices Act (PDF Download)
America Competes Act
(PDF Download)
Enacted in 2007, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (P.L. 110-69) is being considered for reauthorization this year. The law responded to concerns about long-term U.S. economic competitiveness and innovative capacity by authorizing increased investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and federal research in the physical sciences and engineering. Statutory authorities for certain America COMPETES Act provisions expire in 2010. Two America COMPETES Act reauthorization bills have been introduced in the House: H.R. 5116 and H.R. 5325. Both measures are titled the “America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, HR 2997
FDA Issues Draft Revised Guidance For Reportable Food Registry
(PDF Download)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft revised guidance document on the Reportable Food Registry. FDA, Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding the Reportable Food Registry as Established by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007
FDA Transparency Task Force Unveils Draft Proposals (PDF Download)
On May 19, 2010, FDA’s Transparency Task Force released 21 draft proposals for public comment on public disclosure policies aimed at helping consumers, stakeholders, and others understand how the agency operates and makes decisions. The proposals are part of the second phase of the FDA’s Transparency Initiative launched last summer by FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg and reflect the review of more than 1,500 public comments received by the FDA after two public meetings held by the task force and extensive consideration and discussion within the agency.
Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a program for the scientific investigation of nanoscale materials included or intended for inclusion in FDA-regulated products.