Sam Farr: “I would first like to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Dingell for drafting a very strong food safety bill and leading…”

“I would first like to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Dingell for drafting a very strong food safety bill and leading a comprehensive debate by the House. Their legislation included three vital components that are all founded on a strong scientific base. I also want to commend them for including the teeth we need to implement mandatory recalls, as well as a commodity-specific approach to produce safety. Also important, the bill incorporated the flexibility we need to cover our growers, handlers, and processors. Yet the Senate bill we will be voting on today, The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, fails to meet that high bar set by the original House bill. Because the version that is now before us has abandoned its original scientific base, I must sadly oppose this legislation. Let me be clear: I understand the need for food safety reform all too well. The safety of America's supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts will always be my highest priority. I know firsthand the impact an outbreak can have on an industry, and for that reason, understand the strong need for far reaching regulations based on the best science available. The Center for Disease Control estimates, released December 15th, state that 48 million people in America--that's 1 in every 6--get sick every year from contaminated food. Furthermore, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die being exposed to this contaminated food.”