U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) have co-sponsored S. 2803, a bill that imposes federal mandatory food recall measures in the place of current voluntary steps.

Food industry representatives in Washington oppose the legislation, saying it’s unnecessary. “We don’t feel that this bill’s cumbersome proposals would enhance the time-sensitive food recall process,” said International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO E. Linwood Tipton. Tipton and other industry representatives say the food industry has traditionally acted quickly and efficiently in conjunction with government agencies when food items have required a recall.