Food safety reform measure passes House by 2-1 margin
Bill requires more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and gives the FDA authority to order recalls.
A day after rejecting the measure on the suspension calendar, the House on Thursday overwhelmingly passed food-safety legislation that would expand the role of the FDA in inspecting fruits, vegetables and other foods.
The measure was approved 283-142, winning three more votes than it did Wednesday when a two-thirds majority was required for approval.
Drafted by Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the bill faced opposition from House Agriculture Committee ranking member Frank Lucas, R-0kla., who argued it should have been marked up by the Agriculture Committee. But the House rejected Lucas' motion to recommit the bill, 240-186.
The bill requires more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and gives the FDA authority to order recalls. It also would require the FDA to develop a system for tracing food-borne illnesses.