A bill introduced by the U.S. Senate will give the Food and Drug Administration the power to recall products following the nationwide peanut butter recall that killed nine people.
By Ellie Duncan
Companies supporting the legislation, announced March 3, include Kraft Foods Inc, General Mills Inc and Kellogg Co.
Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin and New Hampshire Republican Judd Gregg said the bill would require manufacturers to provide food safety plans and impose regulations on those fruits and vegetables most at risk of causing illness.
Kellogg recalled some of its products containing peanuts from shelves, costing it $70 million.
Susan Davison, a spokeswoman for Kraft, said: “It is crucial for all food manufacturers to build safeguards into both the product design and the manufacturing process to ensure safe, wholesome food.”
General Mills said it also supports the agency’s power to remove contaminated foods from stores faster.