Supporters say the legislation grants the Food and Drug Administration the authorities and resources it needs to better oversee the safety of the nation’s food supply. The legislation also increases the industry’s responsibility for overseeing the safety of its own products and provides FDA with new and enhanced tools to hold processors accountable when problems occur. Much of FDA’s expanded budget would come from fees levied on food producers, under the proposed legislation.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) gave qualified support to the bill. GMA President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey expressed some reservations but said overall the measure would improve the system.