[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12130-S12131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Torricelli):
  S. 1465. A bill to consolidate in a single independent agency in the 
executive branch the responsibilities regarding food safety, labeling, 
and inspection currently divided among several Federal agencies; to the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs.


                           the safe food act

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that 
would replace the current fragmented Federal food safety system with a 
consolidated, independent agency with responsibility for all Federal 
food safety activities--the Safe Food Act. I am pleased to be joined by 
Senator Torricelli in this important effort.
  Make no mistake, our country has been blessed with the safest and 
most abundant food supply in the world. However, we can do better. The 
General Accounting Office estimates that

[[Page S12131]]

as many as 33 million people will suffer food poisoning this year and 
more than 9,000 will die. The Department of Health and Human Services 
predicts that foodborne illnesses and deaths are likely to increase 10 
to 15 percent over the next decade. The annual cost of foodborne 
illnesses in this country may rise to as high as $22 billion per year.
  According to a Princeton Research survey conducted last summer, 44 
percent of Americans believe that the food supply in this country is 
less safe than it was 10 years ago, while another 30 percent feel it is 
only ``about as safe.'' The survey also found that 48 percent of 
Americans are ``very concerned'' about the safety of the food that they 
eat.
  Currently, 12 different Federal agencies and 35 different laws govern 
food safety and inspection functions. Of these 12 agencies, six have 
major roles in carrying out food safety and quality activities. With so 
many bureaucrats in the kitchen, breakdowns can more easily occur. With 
overlapping jurisdictions, Federal agencies many times lack 
accountability on food safety-related issues. A single, independent 
agency would help focus our policy and improve the enforcement of food 
safety and inspection laws.
  At a time of government downsizing and reorganization, the United 
States simply can't afford to continue operating multiple systems. In 
order to achieve a successful, effective food safety and inspection 
system, a single agency with uniform standards is needed.
  The Safe Food Act would empower a single, independent agency to 
enforce food safety regulations from farm to table. It would provide an 
easier framework for implementing U.S. standards in an international 
context. Research could be better coordinated within a single agency 
rather than among multiple programs. And, new technologies to improve 
food safety cold be approved more rapidly with one food safety agency.
  With incidents of food recalls and foodborne illnesses on the rise, 
it is important to move beyond short-term solutions to major food 
safety problems. A single, independent food safety and inspection 
agency could more easily work toward long-term solutions to the 
frustrating and potentially life-threatening issue of food safety.
  The administration has stepped forward on the issue of food safety--
from working with Congress to enact HACCP to increased funding to 
improve surveillance and monitoring to last week's announcement on the 
``Fight Bac--Keep Food Safe From Bacteria Campaign'' initiative. I 
commend President Clinton and Secretaries Glickman and Shalala for 
their commitment to improving our Nation's food safety and inspection 
systems. A single, independent food safety agency is the logical next 
step.
  Mr. President, together, we can bring the various agencies together 
to eliminate the overlap and confusion that have, unfortunately, at 
times characterized our food safety efforts. I encourage my colleagues 
to join me in this effort to consolidate the food safety and inspection 
functions of numerous agencies and offices into a single, independent 
food safety agency.
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