A group of U.S. legislators are demanding answers from the USDA and Boar’s Head company officials regarding egregious food safety violations at a production plant that has led to dozens of hospitalizations and at least 10 deaths.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, is heading the group of lawmakers.

As a result

Continue Reading Lawmakers want to know why USDA, Boar’s Head did not take action to avoid Listeria outbreak

United States Rep. Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal today called on the USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice to hold Boar’s Head accountable for the deadly Listeria outbreak linked to liverwurst deli meat produced at their Jarratt, VA, plant. 

In a letter to USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack

Continue Reading Democrats call for Justice Department to investigate deadly Boar’s Head outbreak

A senator and representative have introduced legislation that would give the FDA and CDC authority to enter and collect samples at feedlots during foodborne illness outbreaks.

Federal agencies currently cannot collect samples from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) unless the operators voluntarily give them access. This has impeded investigations into

Continue Reading Legislation would give the FDA, and CDC power to collect samples from animal farms during outbreaks

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate is calling for stricter regulation of “Generally Recognized as Safe” substances and the creation of a new FDA office to assess the safety of chemicals in America’s food supply.

 Senator Edward J. Markey, D-MA, introduced the Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act,

Continue Reading Legislation introduced to improve food safety and hold FDA accountable

For the estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people in the United States who are allergic to sesame, the recently introduced Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 comes as good news.

Included in the act’s provisions, which primarily seek to give consumers easy-to-understand labels on food so they can make healthy choices,
Continue Reading Sesame Gains Traction in Push for Food-Labeling Requirements

papers_406x250Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study whether creating a single food agency would increase efficiencies, reduce costs and improve safety. In January, Durbin and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced bills to establish such
Continue Reading Senators Ask GAO to Examine Options for Food Safety Oversight

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) reintroduced legislation Thursday to label genetically engineered (GE) food. The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to label GE food and foods containing GE ingredients. “Consumers have a right to
Continue Reading Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Label Genetically Engineered Food