In light of the recent peanut butter salmonella outbreak, Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) introduced a new bill - H.R.759, the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act. The text of the bill is not online yet, but Obama Foodorama reports:
In response to the Peanut Butter contamination, the House of Representatives jumped in to action yesterday, and introduced a new Bill that amps up frequency and scope of FDA inspections, but requires Industry to cover the costs.
The Food and Drug Adminsitration Globzlization Act [sic], introduced By Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), and lauded by Democrats on the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee - would require food companies to be inspected at least once every four years, and drug companies at least every two. Inspections once every four years? That'll solve food and drug safety problems!
Hmm... I detect some sarcasm there. The plant that caused the salmonella outbreak was inspected twice in the last decade - in 2001 and in 2006. Once every 4 years is better than that, at least. So far this bill has 2 cosponsors and it has been referred to the committee on Energy and Commerce. Independent of this bill, the committee will also hold oversight hearings on the salmonella outbreak in February.
Peanut butter recall update below. |
| The peanut butter recall is about to get MUCH BIGGER. The list below is only the newly recalled items on the FDA's list since January 28. For foods recalled Jan 22-28, go here. For foods called before then, go here.
Newly recalled consumer products include:
- Uncle Eddies Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate-Chip Cookies
- Shoppers Valu Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits
But that's not why the recall is getting bigger. It's getting bigger because Peanut Corporation has expanded its recall to include ALL: Peanut butter, Peanut paste, Peanut meal, Peanut granules, and Peanuts (lot #s beginning in 7,8, or 9). THOSE products went as ingredients to the food companies you or I buy from at the store. The next step will be those companies expanding THEIR recalls.
So far Hy-Vee and Wells Dairy have announced further recalls:
Hy-Vee Inc. is recalling freshly made party mix and peanut brittle because the products contain whole peanuts that are potentially contaminated with salmonella.
Separately, Wells' Dairy Inc. announced it was recalling Blue Bunny No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Bunny Tracks Ice Cream with best used by dates before Jan. 29, 2010, and Blue Bunny Personals Bunny Tracks with lot number 80024 and that have a best used by date of Sept. 11, 2009.
And Publix grocery store announced a recall:
Publix announced Thursday it is recalling boxes of its store-brand Round Top Sundae Cones because they are topped with chopped peanuts from the Peanut Corp. of America, which has been linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak.
I'll continue to update this site as more news emerges. |
