January 4, 2012

Washington D.C.- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today released the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the Food Safety Modernization Act:

“One year ago President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act into law, marking the first expansion of food safety and security laws since the 1930s. Nevadans may remember hearing the story of a young Henderson girl, Rylee Gustafson, who ate raw spinach contaminated with E. coli that made her so sick. Rylee’s story served as a stark reminder of why food safety laws needed to be updated and because of her and others, President Obama and a bipartisan group of legislators worked to make this happen.

“Before the Food Modernization Safety Act passed we lacked the necessary authority and resources to keep up with food manufacturing and production advances. The law empowers the FDA to recall contaminated foods, to find out where those dangerous foods came from, and to stop them from getting to our grocery stores. I am proud that Congress passed this important measure but we have to continue to work to fund implementation of this important law to ensure that harmful foods stay away from Nevada stores and kitchens.”  

BACKGROUND:

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011.

More information and details on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.