Kay Hagan: “today I rise in support of S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and also in support of an amendment I…”

“today I rise in support of S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and also in support of an amendment I cosponsored with my colleague from Montana, Senator Jon Tester. Each year, upwards of 70 million Americans are sickened from foodborne illnesses. Thousands of the most vulnerable, including children and the elderly, die. I do not think there is anyone who has not heard of the massive recall of millions of tainted eggs that sickened nearly 1,500 people. We need to find a better way to protect Americans from these tragic deaths. During the HELP Committee's consideration of the bill late last year, we had the opportunity to hear from Dan Ragan, director of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Food and Drug Protection Division, about the innovative steps that North Carolina is taking to prevent and address food safety problems. North Carolina was one of the first pilot States for the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards, MFRPS. And North Carolina has a robust training program for those dealing with food safety issues. I am proud that my State is leading the way forward in trying to prevent and quickly address foodborne illnesses. At the same time, North Carolina is a farming State. And in my State, we have honest farmers who work very hard to make a living. Unfortunately, oftentimes when there is a food safety breach followed by a massive recall, the producers or farmers suffer dire financial consequences.”