United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D -N.Y.) introduced legislation that would give the USDA “mandatory recall authority” over contaminated meat and poultry. The proposed legislation was in response to a “devastating investigation” about food safety in America, which was produced by PBS’ Frontline. (The Trouble with Chicken aired earlier this week).
It is estimated that one in six Americans are sickened each year by foodborne disease. In a news release, Senator Gillibrand said this:
“Our food safety system is failing to protect Americans, leaving thousands of people hospitalized every year with preventable illnesses. Poultry and meat known to be contaminated should never end up in market fridges and freezers or our kitchens. The USDA must have the authority to recall products that test positive for contaminants, and consumers need to know when food has been recalled.”
The Meat and Poultry Recall Notification Act would give the USDA mandatory recall authority; encourage retailers’ use of frequent shopper reward cards to notify consumers who may have purchased recalled products; and more.
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