On July 28, 2009 Senator Tom Udall introduced legislation that would give the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary the authority to issue mandatory meat product recalls in the face of a pathogen outbreak, package mislabeling, or “adulterated” or “otherwise unsafe” meat making it to store shelves.According to Ken Anderson, writing for Brownfield’s Ag News, the Senator introduced the legislation out concern for consumers and the belief that delayed recalls hurt sales of similar products that are not part of the recall. Senator Udall introduced a similar bill when he served in the House of Representatives.
Currently, meat product recalls are issued by food processors. The USDA can request processors issue a recall, but the USDA’s authority does not allow the department to issue a mandatory recall. To read Anderson’s piece on the legislation click here. For more information on the bill click here. The legislation, S. 1527, does not currently have any cosponsors.
Posted: 08/04/09
