Site Map - Food Safety

12/11/2007 - The FDA announces a final rule for procedures on administrative detention of food.

12/05/2007 - In its ongoing effort to design an animal identification system that will trace all animals and premises potentially exposed to a foreign animal disease within 48 hours, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing an interim solution that will record locations where animals reside or will reside. USDA will be awarding almost $12 million to implement the system.

12/04/2007 - A final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would allow the agency to detain food if it has credible evidence or information that the substance may cause serious health problems or death to humans or animals.

11/14/2007 - When Tommy Thompson resigned as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, his parting words included a stark warning that the nation's food supply was an inviting and vulnerable terrorist target. Recognizing the need to beef up food-chain security, the United States Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference and the Conference of the American Trucking Associations, has developed a guide for secure transport of food. Secure practices are provided for drivers and for commercial agricultural and food transporters. The latter, for example, are urged to protect their water supply system, such as by locking wellheads, pump houses, and water storage tanks. They should also assess their facilities for potential sabotage of bulk ingredients, such as by ensuring that access to corn syrup, flour, and other foodstuffs is controlled. The jointly developed food safety guidelines were fashioned as a result of a survey of 24,000 commercial agricultural and food transporters to identify vulnerabilities in food transportation. The sponsoring organizations hope the guidelines help industry. Get them via SM Online.

11/13/2007 - USDA sets up a Web site explaining the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

11/09/2007 - A bill (S. 1804) introduced by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) would require that the government devise a strategy for addressing attacks on the nation’s agriculture and food supplies. The bill would direct the government to carry out vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system; implement mitigation strategies to protect critical production areas from diseases, pests, and poisons; ensure that the nation is prepared to respond to a terrorist attack, disease outbreak, or other disaster affecting the agriculture and food system; and assist states with food and agriculture protection activities. Under the bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would be required to develop a national veterinary stockpile, a national plant disease recovery system, a national plant diagnostic network, and a national food emergency response network.

11/02/2007 - Is the lack of centralized data on some food safety issues a looming problem?

10/11/2007 - A bill (H.R. 1717) that would establish a national agricultural and biodefense facility has been approved by the House Homeland Security Committee. H.R. 1717 is also pending in the House Agriculture Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

10/02/2007 - Government and food industry officials are suggesting that better-targeted inspections, rather than an increased number of inspections, could be the key to food import safety.

09/28/2007 - Allegations of security concerns at a nuclear plant are debated. Plus, bad news for bullies, and a look at intentional and accidental threats to the food supply

09/11/2007 -

08/13/2007 - A bill (S. 544) introduced by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) would provide tax credits for retailers who sell agricultural products to implement security provisions.

08/10/2007 - Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States White Paper Synopsis (this document explains the source of the statistics generally quoted on the numbers of illness and deaths in the U.S. from food).