Food Safety Bill Imposes New Regulations, Fees on Food Industry

A food safety bill making its way through the House of Representatives will result in higher costs for consumers, says a food industry group. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled a June 3 hearing on the bill, which -- according to Democrats -- gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority and money it needs to better ensure the safety of the nation's food supply. The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 would create a registry of all food facilities serving American consumers. All food facilities operating in the U.S. or importing food into the U.S. would be required to register annually with the Food and Drug Administration. An annual $1,000 registration fee would "generate revenue for food safety activities at the FDA," according to a summary of the bill...CNSNews