The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE FOOD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1998” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1343 on July 17, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE FOOD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1998
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HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI
of maine
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 17, 1998
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker today I, along with a host of my colleagues, am introducing the Food Safety Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1998. I believe that one of this government's fundamental responsibilities is ensuring that Americans have the safest food possible.
The recent outbreaks of E. coli across the country have caused illnesses and at least one death. A woman in her 90s from Washington County, Maine, died after becoming infected.
The outbreak has shaken the confidence of American consumers. Americans are stunned when they learn that the Secretary of Agriculture does not have the authority to demand a recall of contaminated meat. The Secretary cannot impose civil fines on a company that knowingly or repeatedly violates food-safety laws.
Consumers, farmers and ranchers are all asking that more be done to prevent food-borne contamination and that something be done to stop the spread of contaminated meat once it is discovered.
The legislation, developed with the United States Department of Agriculture, and introduced as a companion to a bill sponsored by Senator Harkin, would give the Department some common-sense powers.
It requires notification of the USDA when contaminated meat or poultry products are discovered. It gives the Secretary the authority to recall contaminated meat and poultry as soon as it is discovered. It also gives the Secretary the authority to levy civil penalties on slaughterhouses and processors for violations of food safety laws.
I view this as the beginning of a process to identify ways to foster improvements in the meat and poultry food chain that can lead to improved public safety, enhanced consumer confidence and acceptance by producers, processors and consumers of their shared responsibilities in ensuring that Americans continue to enjoy the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.
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