The Senate on Dec. 19 passed the F.D.A. Food Safety Modernization Act, S. 510, which, if enacted, would give the nation’s food safety system its first major overhaul in 70 years. The measure, which has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the Senate, originally was passed three weeks ago but became held up in a constitutional snag when a clerical error was discovered.
The new version of the legislation was amended after the original Senate bill was found to include new fees, some of which were viewed as revenue raisers, i.e., taxes, and as such must originate in the House under the Constitution.
The bill now moves onto the House of Representatives for a vote. The House passed its version of food safety reform legislation, the Food Safety Enhancement Act, on July 30, 2009.

To learn more, visit www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-510