Eight years after the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed by Congress, the Tester-Hagan amendment is coming into focus. It is a loophole that keeps on growing for an exemption that may never quit.
Named for Sen. Jon Tester, D-MT, and Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC, the amendment was a
Continue Reading More food producers exempt from FSMA under Tester-Hagen
A new cottage food bill exempting Colorado small poultry producers from inspections — including safety inspections — is moving forward, having passed the state Senate. Senate Bill (SB) 16-058, now before the House, also amends the Colorado Cottage Foods Act to exempt home kitchens from food inspections, as long as
Continue Reading Colorado bill exempts ‘cottage food’ chicken from safety checks
Food and farm advocates seem to agree that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is somewhat limited in what it can do for small farmers and producers as it implements the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). When Congress passed FSMA in 2011, it gave FDA a statutory mandate, as
Continue Reading FSMA's Small Farm Exemption Has Its Limits
When the Oregon Legislature adjourns — possibly today — Friends of Family Farmers will have suffered the loss of its comprehensive Family Farm Act as House Bill 2222 was known.
That was the do-all bill for small farmers. It proposed everything from expanding raw milk sales to adjusting farmland tax
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), the only farmer serving in the upper chamber, touted his work on the recently enacted food safety law before a sustainable food audience in Washington, D.C. Wednesday.
“The thing about food policy is if you eat, it affects you,” said Tester in his remarks, which largely
Continue Reading Tester: Small Farms Won with Food Safety Exemption
With the food safety bill’s passage in the House Wednesday, it appears that small farm and producer exemptions, which were added in the Senate, will be a part of the final bill. While, local, sustainable agriculture advocates praised the inclusion of the language, known as the Tester-Hagan amendment, the
Continue Reading United Fresh: Food Safety Advance ‘Bittersweet’
As the Senate gears up to vote on a motion to limit debate and move the pending food safety bill forward on Wednesday, interest groups are kicking into high gear to lobby for and against key amendments.
Monday a group of 30 meat, pet food, and fresh produce industry groups
Continue Reading Food and Ag Groups Rally Against Tester Amendment
The debates over whether to grant small farm exemptions or ban bisphenol-A from some products are likely to follow the beleaguered food safety bill if it is brought to a vote during the Senate’s lame duck session, according to sources on Capitol Hill.
“Assuming we get cloture on the motion
Continue Reading Small Farm, BPA Debates Won’t Fade from Food Bill
