Bioterrorism Law Gives FDA New Food Powers

A new law, inspired by terrorism, has changed how food companies are regulated, even when terrorism is not involved. Signed into law on June 12, 2002, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002—less formally known as the bioterrorism legislation—has made sweeping changes in the powers of the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of food companies.

A direct response to September 11, the bioterrorism law’s provisions have the flavor of a nation equipping itself for war, al…