According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a measure Wednesday seeking to overhaul the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that previously had prompted concerns from two major foodservice industry groups.”

“The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, or H.R. 2749, was designed to strengthen the nation’s food safety system and respond to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses involving such items as peanut products, peppers and spinach. Sponsored by committee chair emeritus Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., and co-sponsored by current committee chair Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the measure gives the FDA more funding and power to investigate food producers, require food manufacturers to write and implement safety plans, and track and recall unsafe food products, among other things. It also would arm the FDA with a wider range of criminal and civil penalties to punish food suppliers who knowingly sell tainted foods,” the story said.