Food safety issues
Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank: The Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) is the primary source of scientifically based recommendations for withdrawal intervals after extra-label drug use. FARAD also is an invaluable source of residue mitigation information when food animals are exposed to environmental contaminants. Funding for FARAD needs to be stabilized and the program needs to be relocated to an agency other than CSREES.
Status: AVMA is actively pursuing a permanent funding line for FARAD and seeking to move the program from CSREES.
AVMA Position: Active Pursuit
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
S. 510 The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009: S. 510 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regulate food. Each food facility would be required to evaluate hazards and implement preventive controls. The Secretary would assess and collect fees related to food facility re-inspection, food recalls, and the voluntary qualified importer program. The Secretary of HHS and the Secretary of Agriculture would prepare the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy. The Secretary would identify preventive programs and practices to promote the safety and security of food, promulgate regulations on sanitary food transportation practices, develop a policy to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs, allocate inspection resources based on the risk profile of food facilities or food, recognize bodies that accredit food testing laboratories, and improve the capacity of the Secretary to track and trace raw agricultural commodities. The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would enhance food-borne illness surveillance systems. The Secretary would be authorized to order a mandatory recall of food. The legislation also provides for foreign supplier verification activities, a voluntary qualified importer program, and the inspection of foreign facilities registered to import food.
Status: S. 510 was introduced on 3/3/2009 and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
AVMA Position: Support
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
H.R. 1332 Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards, and Targeting Act of 2009: H.R. 1332 seeks to amend the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act with respect to the safety of the food supply. Enactment of HR 1332 gives FDA expanded access to food facility records and expands the registration requirements for food facilities. Mandatory recall authority is granted to FDA. FDA is also given authority to issue performance standards, quite possibly to the farm level. The Secretary is required to develop a National Agricultural and Food Defense Strategy and research agenda with USDA and DHS. FDA is directed to review laboratory accrediting bodies, and DHS is required to work with HHS, USDA, and EPA in effectively integrating laboratory networks. The Secretary is required to enhance trace back and recordkeeping, as well as food-borne illness surveillance. There is also a title concerning specific provisions for imported foods.
Status: H.R. 1332 was introduced on 3/5/2009 and referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce.
AVMA Position: Support
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
H.R. 814 Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination Everywhere (TRACE) Act of 2009: HR 814 seeks to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products inspection Act, and the Egg products Act to enhance traceability for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food.
Status: H.R. 814 was introduced on 2/3/2009 and referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce.
AVMA Position: Nonsupport
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
H.R. 815 Safe and Fair Enforcement and Recall for Meat, Poultry, and Food Act of 2009: H.R 815 seeks to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products inspection Act, and the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act to establish mandatory recall authority and impose civil penalties for violations of the Act.
Status: H.R. 815 was introduced on 2/3/2009 and referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce.
AVMA Position: Nonsupport
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
H.R. 759 FDA Globalization Act: H.R. 759 seeks to amend the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act to improve the safety of food drugs devices and cosmetics in the global market and for other purposes. Enactment of H.R. 759 will set forth provisions governing food safety for each food facility requiring hazard analysis of facilities that manufacture, process, pack, transport or hold food; identification and implementation of preventative controls; and a written food safety plan.
Status: H.R. 759 was introduced on 1/28/2009 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
AVMA Position: Nonsupport
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
H.R. 875 Food Safety Modernization Act: HR 875 seeks to establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services headed by the Administrator of Food Safety, appointed by the President. Enactment of HR 875 would transfer all food safety activities to the new agency from the following existing agencies: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN); Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM); National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR); Office of Regulatory Affairs; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). HR 875 also renames the Food and Drug Administration as the Federal Drug and Device Administration.
Status: H.R. 875 was introduced on 2/4/2009 and referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce.
AVMA Position: Non-support
Primary Contact: Dr. Ashley Shelton
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