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HR 2751 PCS

Calendar No. 74

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2751

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 10, 2009

Received and read the first time

June 11, 2009

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

---

AN ACT

TEASCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 2751) entitled ‘An Act to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

’, do pass with the followingCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.; REFERENCES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save FDA Food Safety Modernization Act’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 2. TEMPORARY VEHICLE TRADE-IN PROGRAM.(a) Establishment- There is established in the (b) References- Except as otherwise specified, whenever in this Act an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Sec. 101. Inspections of records. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Registration of food facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Performance standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Standards for produce safety. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Protection against intentional adulteration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Authority to collect fees. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 108. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a voluntary program to be known as the ‘Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program’ through which the Secretary of Transportation (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘Secretary’), in accordance with this Act and the regulations promulgated under subsection (d), shall--agriculture and food defense strategy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 109. Food and Agriculture Coordinating Councils. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 110. Building domestic capacity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 111. Sanitary transportation of food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 112. Food allergy and anaphylaxis management. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 113. New dietary ingredients. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 114. Requirement for guidance relating to post harvest processing of raw oysters. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 115. Port shopping. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 116. Alcohol-related facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Updating of Food Category Regulations; Biennial Registration Renewal- Section 415(a) (21 U.S.C. 350d(a)) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) striking ‘conducts business and’ and inserting ‘conducts business, the e-mail address for the contact person of the facility or, in the case of a foreign facility, the United States agent for the facility, and’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) inserting ‘, or any other food categories as determined appropriate by the Secretary, including by guidance’ after ‘Code of Federal Regulations’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) BIENNIAL REGISTRATION RENEWAL- During the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31 of each even-numbered year, a registrant that has submitted a registration under paragraph (1)authorize the issuance of shall submit to the Secretary a renewal registration containing the information described in paragraph (2). The Secretary shall provide for an abbreviated registration renewal process for any registrant that has not had any changes to such information since the registrant submitted the preceding registration or registration renewal for the facility involved.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Suspension of Registration- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 415 (21 U.S.C. 350d) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting after the first sentence the following: ‘The registration shall contain an assurance that the Secretary will be permitted to inspect such facility at the times and in the manner permitted by this Act.’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Suspension of Registration- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary determines that food manufactured, processed, packed, received, or held by a facility registered under this section has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, the Secretary may by order suspend the registration of a facility-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) that created, caused, or was otherwise responsible for such reasonable probability; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B)(i) that knew of, or had reason to know of, such reasonable probability; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) packed, received, or held such food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) HEARING ON SUSPENSION- The Secretary shall provide the registrant subject to an order under paragraph (1) with an opportunity for an informal hearing, to be held as soon as possible but not later than 2 business days after the issuance of the order or such other time period, as agreed upon by the Secretary and the registrant, on the actions required for reinstatement of registration and why the registration that is subject to suspension should be reinstated. The Secretary shall reinstate a registration if the Secretary determines, based on evidence presented, that adequate grounds do not exist to continue the suspension of the registration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) POST-HEARING CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN; VACATING OF ORDER- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN- If, after providing opportunity for an informal hearing under paragraph (2), the Secretary determines that the suspension of registration remains necessary, the Secretary shall require the registrant to submit a corrective action plan to demonstrate how the registrant plans to correct the conditions found by the Secretary. The Secretary shall review such plan not later than 14 days after the submission of the corrective action plan or such other time period as determined by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) VACATING OF ORDER- Upon a determination by the Secretary that adequate grounds do not exist to continue the suspension actions required by the order, or that such actions should be modified, the Secretary shall promptly vacate the order and reinstate the registration of the facility subject to the order or modify the order, as appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) EFFECT OF SUSPENSION- If the registration of a facility is suspended under this subsection, no person shall import or export food into the United States from such facility, offer to import or export food into the United States from such facility, or otherwise introduce food from such facility into interstate or intrastate commerce in the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) REGULATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this subsection. The Secretary may promulgate such regulations on an interim final basis. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT- The Secretary may require that registration under this section be submitted in an electronic voucher, subject to the specifications setformat. Such requirement may not take effect before the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) APPLICATION DATE- Facilities shall be subject to the requirements of this subsection beginning on the earlier of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the date on which the Secretary issues regulations under paragraph (5); or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) 180 days after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) NO DELEGATION- The authority conferred by this subsection to issue an order to suspend a registration or vacate an order of suspension shall not be delegated to any officer or employee other than the Commissioner.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SMALL ENTITY COMPLIANCE POLICY GUIDE- Not later than 180 days after the issuance of the regulations promulgated under section 415(b)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section), the Secretary shall issue a small entity compliance policy guide setting forth in plain language the requirements of such regulations to assist small entities in complying with registration requirements and other activities required under such section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) IMPORTED FOOD- Section 801(l) (21 U.S.C. 381(l)) is amended by inserting ‘(or for which a registration has been suspended under such section)’ after ‘section 415’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Clarification of Intent- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall amend the definition of the term ‘retail food establishment’ in section in 1.227(b)(11) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations to clarify that, in determining the primary function of an establishment or a retail food establishment under such section, the sale of food products directly to consumers by such establishment and the sale of food directly to consumers by such retail food establishment include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the sale of such food products or food directly to consumers by such establishment at a roadside stand or farmers’ market where such stand or market is located other than where the food was manufactured or processed; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the sale and distribution of such food through a community supported agriculture program; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the sale and distribution of such food at any other such direct sales platform as determined by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the term ‘community supported agriculture program’ has the same meaning given the term ‘community supported agriculture (CSA) program’ in section 249.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the term ‘consumer’ does not include a business. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Conforming Amendments- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Section 301(d) (21 U.S.C. 331(d)) is amended by inserting ‘415,’ after ‘404,’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Section 415(d), as redesignated by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end before the period ‘for a facility to be registered, except with respect to the reinstatement of a registration that is suspended under subsection (b)’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 418. HAZARD ANALYSIS AND RISK-BASED PREVENTIVE CONTROLS.

‘(a) In General- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall, in accordance with this section, evaluate the hazards that could affect food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by such facility, identify and implement preventive controls to significantly minimize or prevent the occurrence of such hazards and provide assurances that such food is not adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w), monitor the performance of those controls, and maintain records of this monitoring as a matter of routine practice. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Hazard Analysis- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) identify and evaluate known or reasonably foreseeable hazards that may be associated with the facility, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards, natural toxins, pesticides, drug residues, decomposition, parasites, allergens, and unapproved food and color additives; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) hazards that occur naturally, or may be unintentionally introduced; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) identify and evaluate hazards that may be intentionally introduced, including by acts of terrorism; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) develop a written analysis of the hazards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Preventive Controls- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall identify and implement preventive controls, including at critical control points, if any, to provide assurances that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) hazards identified in the hazard analysis conducted under subsection (c), to offset the purchase price or lease price for a qualifying lease of a new fuel efficient automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade-in vehicle to a dealer participating in the Program;

(2) register dealers for participation in the Program and require all registered dealers--

(A) to accept vouchers as provided in this section as partial payment or down payment for the purchase or qualifying lease of any new fuel efficient automobile offered for sale or lease by that dealer; and

(B) in accordance withb)(1) will be significantly minimized or prevented; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(2) any hazards identified in the hazard analysis conducted under subsection (c)(2), to transfer each eligible trade-in vehicle surrendered to the dealer under the Program to an entity for disposal;(3) in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, make electronic payments to dealers for eligible transactions accepted by such dealers, in accordance with the regulations issub)(2) will be significantly minimized or prevented and addressed, consistent with section 420, as applicable; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by such facility will not be adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Monitoring of Effectiveness- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall monitor the effectiveness of the preventive controls implemented under subsection (c) to provide assurances that the outcomes described in subsection (c) shall be achieved. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Corrective Actions- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall establish procedures to ensure that, if the preventive controls implemented under subsection (c) are not properly implemented or are found to be ineffective-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) appropriate action is taken to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the implementation failure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) all affected food is evaluated for safety; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) all affected food is prevented from entering into commerce if the owner, operator or agent in charge of such facility cannot ensure that the affected food is not adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Verification- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall verify that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) the preventive controls implemented under subsection (c) are adequate to control the hazards identified under subsection (d); and

(4) in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program.

b); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(2) the owner, operator, or agent is conducting monitoring in accordance with subsection (d); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) the owner, operator, or agent is making appropriate decisions about corrective actions taken under subsection (e); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) the preventive controls implemented under subsection (c) are effectively and significantly minimizing or preventing the occurrence of identified hazards, including through the use of environmental and product testing programs and other appropriate means; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) there is documented, periodic reanalysis of the plan under subsection (i) to ensure that the plan is still relevant to the raw materials, conditions and processes in the facility, and new and emerging threats. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Recordkeeping- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall maintain, for not less than 2 years, records documenting the monitoring of the preventive controls implemented under subsection (c), instances of nonconformance material to food safety, the results of testing and other appropriate means of verification under subsection (f)(4), instances when corrective actions were implemented, and the efficacy of preventive controls and corrective actions. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Written Plan and Documentation- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall prepare a written plan that documents and describes the procedures used by the facility to comply with the requirements of this section, including analyzing the hazards under subsection (b) and identifying the preventive controls adopted under subsection (c) to address those hazards. Such written plan, together with the documentation described in subsection (g), shall be made promptly available to a duly authorized representative of the Secretary upon oral or written request. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Requirement To Reanalyze- The owner, operator, or agent in charge of a facility shall conduct a reanalysis under subsection (b)Qualifications for and Value of Vouchers- A voucher issued under the Program shall have a value that may be applied to offset the purchase price or lease price for a qualifying lease of a new fuel efficient automobile as follows:(1) $3,500 whenever a significant change is made in the activities conducted at a facility operated by such owner, operator, or agent if the change creates a reasonable potential for a new hazard or a significant increase in a previously identified hazard or not less frequently than once every 3 years, whichever is earlier. Such reanalysis shall be completed and additional preventive controls needed to address the hazard identified, if any, shall be implemented before the change in activities at the facility is operative. Such owner, operator, or agent shall revise the written plan required under subsection (h) if such a significant change is made or document the basis for the conclusion that no additional or revised preventive controls are needed. The Secretary may require a reanalysis under this section to respond to new hazards and developments in scientific understanding, including, as appropriate, results from the Department of Homeland Security biological, chemical, radiological, or other terrorism risk assessment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Exemption for Seafood, Juice, and Low-acid Canned Food Facilities Subject to HACCP- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- This section shall not apply to a facility if the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such facility is required to comply with, and is in compliance with, 1 of the following standards and regulations with respect to such facility: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program of the Food and Drug Administration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Juice Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program of the Food and Drug Administration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers standards of the Food and Drug Administration (or any successor standards). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) APPLICABILITY- The exemption under paragraph (1)(C) shall apply only with respect to microbiological hazards that are regulated under the standards for Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers under part 113 of chapter 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) Exception for Activities of Facilities Subject to Section 419- This section shall not apply to activities of a facility that are subject to section 419. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(l) Modified Requirements for Qualified Facilities- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) QUALIFIED FACILITIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- A facility is a qualified facility for purposes of this subsection if the facility meets the conditions under subparagraph (B) or (C). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) VERY SMALL BUSINESS- A facility is a qualified facility under this subparagraph-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) if the facility, including any subsidiary or affiliate of the facility, is, collectively, a very small business (as defined in the regulations promulgated under subsection (n)); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) in the case where the facility is a subsidiary or affiliate of an entity, if such subsidiaries or affiliates, are, collectively, a very small business (as so defined). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) LIMITED ANNUAL MONETARY VALUE OF SALES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- A facility is a qualified facility under this subparagraph if clause (ii) applies-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) to the facility, including any subsidiary or affiliate of the facility, collectively; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) to the subsidiaries or affiliates, collectively, of any entity of which the facility is a subsidiary or affiliate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) AVERAGE ANNUAL MONETARY VALUE- The voucher may be used to offset the purchase price or lease price of the new fuel efficient automobile by $3,500 if--

(A) the new fuel efficient automobile is a passenger automobile and the combined fuel economy value of such automobile is at least 4 miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle;

(B) the new fuel efficient automobile is a category 1 truck and the combined fuel economy value of such truck is at least 2 miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-is clause applies if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(I) during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year, the average annual monetary value of the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at such facility (or the collective average annual monetary value of such food at any subsidiary or affiliate, as described in clause (i)) that is sold directly to qualified end-users during such period exceeded the average annual monetary value of the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at such facility (or the collective average annual monetary value of such food at any subsidiary or affiliate, as so described) sold by such facility (or collectively by any such subsidiary or affiliate) to all other purchasers during such period; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) the average annual monetary value of all food sold by such facility (or the collective average annual monetary value of such food sold by any subsidiary or affiliate, as described in clause (i)) during such period was less than $500,000, adjusted for inflation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXEMPTION- A qualified facility-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall not be subject to the requirements under subsections (a) through (i) and subsection (n) in an applicable calendar year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) shall submit to the Secretary-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i)(I) documentation that demonstrates that the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the facility has identified potential hazards associated with the food being produced, is implementing preventive controls to address the hazards, and is monitoring the preventive controls to ensure that such controls are effective; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) documentation (which may include licenses, inspection reports, certificates, permits, credentials, certification by an appropriate agency (such as a State department of agriculture), or other evidence of oversight), as specified by the Secretary, that the facility is in compliance with State, local, county, or other applicable non-Federal food safety law; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) documentation, as specified by the Secretary in a guidance document issued not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, that the facility is a qualified facility under paragraph (1)(B) or (1)(C). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) WITHDRAWAL; RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- In the event of an active investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak that is directly linked to a qualified facility subject to an exemption under this subsection, or if the Secretary determines that it is necessary to protect the public health and prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak based on conduct or conditions associated with a qualified facility that are material to the safety of the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at such facility, the Secretary may withdraw the exemption provided to such facility under this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to expand or limit the inspection authority of the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) AFFILIATE- The term ‘affiliate’ means any facility that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another facility. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) QUALIFIED END-USER- The term ‘qualified end-user’, with respect to a food, means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the consumer of the food; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a restaurant or retail food establishment (as those terms are defined by the Secretary for purposes of section 415) that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) is located-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(aa) in the same State as the qualified facility that sold the food to such restaurant or establishment; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(bb) not more than 275 miles from such facility; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(II) is purchasing the food for sale directly to consumers at such restaurant or retail food establishment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) CONSUMER- For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term ‘consumer’ does not include a business. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) SUBSIDIARY- The term ‘subsidiary’ means any company which is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by another company. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) STUDY- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in vehicle;

(C) the new fuel efficient automobile is a category 2 truck that has a combined fuel economy value of at least 15 miles per gallon and--

(i) the eligible trade-in vehicle is a category 2 truck and the combined fuel economy value of the new fuel efficient automobileconsultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall conduct a study of the food processing sector regulated by the Secretary to determine-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(i) the distribution of food production by type and size of operation, including monetary value of food sold; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the proportion of food produced by each type and size of operation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the number and types of food facilities co-located on farms, including the number and proportion by commodity and by manufacturing or processing activity; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) the incidence of foodborne illness originating from each size and type of operation and the type of food facilities for which no reported or known hazard exists; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) the effect on foodborne illness risk associated with commingling, processing, transporting, and storing food and raw agricultural commodities, including differences in risk based on the scale and duration of such activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) SIZE- The results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A) shall include the information necessary to enable the Secretary to define the terms ‘small business’ and ‘very small business’, for purposes of promulgating the regulation under subsection (n). In defining such terms, the Secretary shall include consideration of harvestable acres, income, the number of employees, and the volume of food harvested. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) SUBMISSION OF REPORT- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) NO PREEMPTION- Nothing in this subsection preempts State, local, county, or other non-Federal law regarding the safe production of food. Compliance with this subsection shall not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) NOTIFICATION TO CONSUMERS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- A qualified facility that is exempt from the requirements under subsections (a) through (i) and subsection (n) and does not prepare documentation under paragraph (2)(B)(i)(I) shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) with respect to a food for which a food packaging label is required by the Secretary under any other provision of this Act, include prominently and conspicuously on such label the name and business address of the facility where the food was manufactured or processed; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) with respect to a food for which a food packaging label is not required by the Secretary under any other provisions of this Act, prominently and conspicuously display, at the point of purchase, the name and business address of the facility where the food was manufactured or processed, on a label, poster, sign, placard, or documents delivered contemporaneously with the food in the normal course of business, or, in the case of Internet sales, in an electronic notice. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NO ADDITIONAL LABEL- Subparagraph (A) does not provide authority to the Secretary to require a label that is in addition to any label required under any other provision of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(m) Authority With Respect to Certain Facilities- The Secretary may, by regulation, exempt or modify the requirements for compliance under this section with respect to facilities that are solely engaged in the production of food for animals other than man, the storage of raw agricultural commodities (other than fruits and vegetables) intended for further distribution or processing, or the storage of packaged foods that are not exposed to the environment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(n) Regulations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to establish science-based minimum standards for conducting a hazard analysis, documenting hazards, implementing preventive controls, and documenting the implementation of the preventive controls under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to define, for purposes of this section, the terms ‘small business’ and ‘very small business’, taking into consideration the study described in subsection (l)(5). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) COORDINATION- In promulgating the regulations under paragraph (1)(A), with regard to hazards that may be intentionally introduced, including by acts of terrorism, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security, as appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONTENT- The regulations promulgated under paragraph (1)(A) shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide sufficient flexibility to be practicable for all sizes and types of facilities, including small businesses such as a small food processing facility co-located on a farm; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) comply with chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Paperwork Reduction Act’), with special attention to minimizing the burden (as defined in section 3502(2) of such Act) on the facility, and collection of information (as defined in section 3502(3) of such Act), associated with such regulations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) acknowledge differences in risk and minimize, as appropriate, the number of separate standards that apply to separate foods; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) not require a facility to hire a consultant or other third party to identify, implement, certify, or audit preventative controls, except in the case of negotiated enforcement resolutions that may require such a consultant or third party. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to provide the Secretary with the authority to prescribe specific technologies, practices, or critical controls for an individual facility. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) REVIEW- In promulgating the regulations under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall review regulatory hazard analysis and preventive control programs in existence on the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, including the Grade ‘A’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance to ensure that such regulations are consistent, to the extent practicable, with applicable domestic and internationally-recognized standards in existence on such date. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(o) Definitions- For purposes of this section: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) CRITICAL CONTROL POINT- The term ‘critical control point’ means a point, step, or procedure in a food process at which control can be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce such hazard to an acceptable level. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FACILITY- The term ‘facility’ means a domestic facility or a foreign facility that is required to register under section 415. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) PREVENTIVE CONTROLS- The term ‘preventive controls’ means those risk-based, reasonably appropriate procedures, practices, and processes that a person knowledgeable about the safe manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of food would employ to significantly minimize or prevent the hazards identified under the hazard analysis conducted under subsection (b) and that are consistent with the current scientific understanding of safe food manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding at the time of the analysis. Those procedures, practices, and processes may include the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Sanitation procedures for food contact surfaces and utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Supervisor, manager, and employee hygiene training. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) An environmental monitoring program to verify the effectiveness of pathogen controls in processes where a food is exposed to a potential contaminant in the environment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) A food allergen control program. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) A recall plan. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) under part 110 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) Supplier verification activities that relate to the safety of food.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Guidance Document- The Secretary shall issue a guidance document related to the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)(1) with respect to the hazard analysis and preventive controls under section 418 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Rulemaking- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROPOSED RULEMAKING- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Secretary’) shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to promulgate regulations with respect to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) activities that constitute on-farm packing or holding of food that is not grown, raised, or consumed on such farm or another farm under the same ownership for purposes of section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d), as amended by this Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) activities that constitute on-farm manufacturing or processing of food that is not consumed on that farm or on another farm under common ownership for purposes of such section 415. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CLARIFICATION- The rulemaking described under subparagraph (A) shall enhance the implementation of such section 415 and clarify the activities that are included as part of the definition of the term ‘facility’ under such section 415. Nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary to modify the definition of the term ‘facility’ under such section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) SCIENCE-BASED RISK ANALYSIS- In promulgating regulations under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall conduct a science-based risk analysis of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) specific types of on-farm packing or holding of food that is not grown, raised, or consumed on such farm or another farm under the same ownership, as such packing and holding relates to specific foods; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) specific on-farm manufacturing and processing activities as such activities relate to specific foods that are not consumed on that farm or on another farm under common ownership. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FACILITIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- In promulgating the regulations under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider the results of the science-based risk analysis conducted under subparagraph (C), and shall exempt certain facilities from the requirements in section 418 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section), including hazard analysis and preventive controls, and the mandatory inspection frequency in section 421 of such Act (as added by section 201), or modify the requirements in such sections 418 or 421, as the Secretary determines appropriate, if such facilities are engaged only in specific types of on-farm manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding activities that the Secretary determines to be low risk involving specific foods the Secretary determines to be low risk. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) LIMITATION- The exemptions or modifications under clause (i) shall not include an exemption from the requirement to register under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d), as amended by this Act, if applicable, and shall apply only to small businesses and very small businesses, as defined in the regulation promulgated under section 418(n) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added under subsection (a)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FINAL REGULATIONS- Not later than 9 months after the close of the comment period for the proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall adopt final rules with respect to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) activities that constitute on-farm packing or holding of food that is not grown, raised, or consumed on such farm or another farm under the same ownership for purposes of section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d), as amended by this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) activities that constitute on-farm manufacturing or processing of food that is not consumed on that farm or on another farm under common ownership for purposes of such section 415; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the requirements under sections 418 and 421 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as added by this Act, from which the Secretary may issue exemptions or modifications of the requirements for certain types of facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Small Entity Compliance Policy Guide- Not later than 180 days after the issuance of the regulations promulgated under subsection (n) of section 418 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary shall issue a small entity compliance policy guide setting forth in plain language the requirements of such section 418 and this section to assist small entities in complying with the hazard analysis and other activities required under such section 418 and this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Prohibited Acts- Section 301 (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(uu) The operation of a facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for sale in the United States if the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such facility is not in compliance with section 418.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) No Effect on HACCP Authorities- Nothing in the amendments made by this section limits the authority of the Secretary under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) to revise, issue, or enforce Hazard Analysis Critical Control programs and the Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Dietary Supplements- Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall apply to any facility with regard to the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of a dietary supplement that is in compliance with the requirements of sections 402(g)(2) and 761 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(g)(2), 379aa-1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Updating Guidance Relating to Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Controls- The Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, update the Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Control Guidance to take into account advances in technology that have occurred since the previous publication of such Guidance by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Effective Dates- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GENERAL RULE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FLEXIBILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES- Notwithstanding paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the amendments made by this section shall apply to a small business (as defined in the regulations promulgated under section 418(n) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section)) beginning on the date that is at least 1 mile per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; or

(ii) the eligible trade-in vehicle is a category 3 truck of model year 2001 or earlier; or

(D) the new fuel efficient automobile is a category 3 truck and the eligible trade-in vehicle is a category 3 truck of model year of 2001 or earlier and is of similar size or larger than the new fuel efficient automobile as determined in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) $4,500 VALUE- The voucher may be used to offset the purchase price or lease price of the new fuel efficient automobile by $4,500 if--

(A) the new fuel efficient automobile is a passenger automobile and the combined fuel economy value of such automobile6 months after the effective date of such regulations; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(B) the amendments made by this section shall apply to a very small business (as defined in such regulations) beginning on the date that is at least 10 miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle;

(B) the new fuel efficient automobile is a category 1 truck and the combined fuel economy value of such truck is at least 5 miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; or

(C) the new fuel efficient automobile is a category 2 truck that has a combined fuel economy value of at least 15 miles per gallon and the combined fuel economy value of such truck is at least 2 miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle and the eligible trade-in vehicle is a category 2 truck.

(c) Program Specifications-

18 months after the effective date of such regulations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 419. STANDARDS FOR PRODUCE SAFETY.

‘(a) Proposed Rulemaking- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) RULEMAKING- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of agriculture (including with regard to the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990), and in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production and harvesting of those types of fruits and vegetables, including specific mixes or categories of fruits and vegetables, that are raw agricultural commodities for which the Secretary has determined that such standards minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DETERMINATION BY SECRETARY- With respect to small businesses and very small businesses (as such terms are defined in the regulation promulgated under subparagraph (A)) that produce and harvest those types of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities that the Secretary has determined are low risk and do not present a risk of serious adverse health consequences or death, the Secretary may determine not to include production and harvesting of such fruits and vegetables in such rulemaking, or may modify the applicable requirements of regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PUBLIC INPUT- During the comment period on the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct not less than 3 public meetings in diverse geographical areas of the United States to provide persons in different regions an opportunity to comment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONTENT- The proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1)LIMITATIONS-(A) GENERAL PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY- A voucher issued under the Program shall be used only in connection with the purchase or qualifying lease of new fuel efficient automobile shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide sufficient flexibility to be applicable to various types of entities engaged in the production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities, including small businesses and entities that sell directly to consumers, and be appropriate to the scale and diversity of the production and harvesting of such commodities; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) include, with respect to growing, harvesting, sorting, packing, and storage operations, science-based minimum standards related to soil amendments, hygiene, packaging, temperature controls, animals in the growing area, and water; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) consider hazards that occur between--(i) the date of enactment of this naturally, may be unintentionally introduced, or may be intentionally introduced, including by acts of terrorism; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) take into consideration, consistent with ensuring enforceable public health protection, conservation and environmental practice standards and policies established by Federal natural resource conservation, wildlife conservation, and environmental agencies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) in the case of production that is certified organic, not include any requirements that conflict with or duplicate the requirements of the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, while providing the same level of public health protection as the requirements under guidance documents, including guidance documents regarding action levels, and regulations under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the date that is 1 ‘(F) define, for purposes of this section, the terms ‘small business’ and ‘very small business’ CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) PRIORITIZATION- The Secretary shall prioritize the implementation of the regulations under this section for specific fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities based on known risks which may include a history and severity of foodborne illness outbreaks. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Final Regulation- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the close of the comment period for the proposed rulemaking under subsection (a), the Secretary shall adopt a final regulation to provide for minimum science-based standards for those types of fruits and vegetables, including specific mixes or categories of fruits or vegetables, that are raw agricultural commodities, based on known safety risks, which may include a history of foodborne illness outbreaks. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FINAL REGULATION- The final regulation shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide for coordination of education and enforcement activities by State and local officials, as designated by the Governors of the respective States or the appropriate elected State official as recognized by State statute; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) include a description of the variance process under subsection (c) and the types of permissible variances the Secretary may grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) FLEXIBILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES- Notwithstanding paragraph (1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the regulations promulgated under this section shall apply to a small business (as defined in the regulation promulgated under subsection (a)(1)) after the date that is 1 year after the effective date of the final regulation under paragraph (1); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the regulations promulgated under this section shall apply to a very small business (as defined in the regulation promulgated under subsection (a)(1)) after the date that is 2 years after the effective date of the final regulation under paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Criteria- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The regulations adopted under subsection (b) shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) set forth those procedures, processes, and practices that the Secretary determines to minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death, including procedures, processes, and practices that the Secretary determines to be reasonably necessary to prevent the introduction of known or reasonably foreseeable biological, chemical, and physical hazards, including hazards that occur naturally, may be unintentionally introduced, or may be intentionally introduced, including by acts of terrorism, into fruits and vegetables, including specific mixes or categories of fruits and vegetables, that are raw agricultural commodities and to provide reasonable assurances that the produce is not adulterated under section 402; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) provide sufficient flexibility to be practicable for all sizes and types of businesses, including small businesses such as a small food processing facility co-located on a farm; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) comply with chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Paperwork Reduction Act’), with special attention to minimizing the burden (as defined in section 3502(2) of such Act) on the business, and collection of information (as defined in section 3502(3) of such Act), associated with such regulations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) acknowledge differences in risk and minimize, as appropriate, the number of separate standards that apply to separate foods; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) not require a business to hire a consultant or other third party to identify, implement, certify, compliance with these procedures, processes, and practices, except in the case of negotiated enforcement resolutions that may require such a consultant or third party; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) permit States and foreign countries from which food is imported into the United States to request from the Secretary variances from the requirements of the regulations, subject to paragraph (2), where the State or foreign country determines that the variance is necessary in light of local growing conditions and that the procedures, processes, and practices to be followed under the variance are reasonably likely to ensure that the produce is not adulterated under section 402 and to provide the same level of public health protection as the requirements of the regulations adopted under subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) VARIANCES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) REQUESTS FOR VARIANCES- A State or foreign country from which food is imported into the United States may in writing request a variance from the Secretary. Such request shall describe the variance requested and present information demonstrating that the variance does not increase the likelihood that the food for which the variance is requested will be adulterated under section 402, and that the variance provides the same level of public health protection as the requirements of the regulations adopted under subsection (b). The Secretary shall review such requests in a reasonable timeframe. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) APPROVAL OF VARIANCES- The Secretary may approve a variance in whole or in part, as appropriate, and may specify the scope of applicability of a variance to other similarly situated persons. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) DENIAL OF VARIANCES- The Secretary may deny a variance request if the Secretary determines that such variance is not reasonably likely to ensure that the food is not adulterated under section 402 and is not reasonably likely to provide the same level of public health protection as the requirements of the regulation adopted under subsection (b). The Secretary shall notify the person requesting such variance of the reasons for the denial. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION OF A VARIANCE- The Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may modify or revoke a variance if the Secretary determines that such variance is not reasonably likely to ensure that the food is not adulterated under section 402 and is not reasonably likely to provide the same level of public health protection as the requirements of the regulations adopted under subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Enforcement- The Secretary may coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture and, as appropriate, shall contract and coordinate with the agency or department designated by the Governor of each State to perform activities to ensure compliance with this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Guidance- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall publish, after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, representatives of State departments of agriculture, farmer representatives, and various types of entities engaged in the production and harvesting or importing of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities, including small businesses, updated good agricultural practices and guidance for the safe production and harvesting of specific types of fresh produce under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PUBLIC MEETINGS- The Secretary shall conduct not fewer than 3 public meetings in diverse geographical areas of the United States as part of an effort to conduct education and outreach regarding the guidance described in paragraph (1) for persons in different regions who are involved in the production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities, including persons that sell directly to consumers and farmer representatives, and for importers of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) PAPERWORK REDUCTION- The Secretary shall ensure that any updated guidance under this section will-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide sufficient flexibility to be practicable for all sizes and types of facilities, including small businesses such as a small food processing facility co-located on a farm; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) acknowledge differences in risk and minimize, as appropriate, the number of separate standards that apply to separate foods. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Exemption for Direct Farm Marketing- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A farm shall be exempt from the requirements under this section in a calendar year if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) during the previous 3-year after the date on which the regulations promulgated under period, the average annual monetary value of the food sold by such farm directly to qualified end-users during such period exceeded the average annual monetary value of the food sold by such farm to all other buyers during such period; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the average annual monetary value of all food sold during such period was less than $500,000, adjusted for inflation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NOTIFICATION TO CONSUMERS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- A farm that is exempt from the requirements under this section shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) with respect to a food for which a food packaging label is required by the Secretary under any other provision of this Act, include prominently and conspicuously on such label the name and business address of the farm where the produce was grown; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) with respect to a food for which a food packaging label is not required by the Secretary under any other provision of this Act, prominently and conspicuously display, at the point of purchase, the name and business address of the farm where the produce was grown, on a label, poster, sign, placard, or documents delivered contemporaneously with the food in the normal course of business, or, in the case of Internet sales, in an electronic notice. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NO ADDITIONAL LABEL- Subparagraph (A) does not provide authority to the Secretary to require a label that is in addition to any label required under any other provision of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) WITHDRAWAL; RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- In the event of an active investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak that is directly linked to a farm subject to an exemption under this subsection, or if the Secretary determines that it is necessary to protect the public health and prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak based on conduct or conditions associated with a farm that are material to the safety of the food produced or harvested at such farm, the Secretary may withdraw the exemption provided to such farm under this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to expand or limit the inspection authority of the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) DEFINITIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) QUALIFIED END-USER- In this subsection, the term ‘qualified end-user’, with respect to a food means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the consumer of the food; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a restaurant or retail food establishment (as those terms are defined by the Secretary for purposes of section 415) that is located-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) in the same State as the farm that produced the food; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) not more than 275 miles from such farm. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) CONSUMER- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term ‘consumer’ does not include a business. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) NO PREEMPTION- Nothing in this subsection preempts State, local, county, or other non-Federal law regarding the safe production, harvesting, holding, transportation, and sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. Compliance with this subsection shall not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) LIMITATION OF EFFECT- Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the Secretary from exercising any authority granted in the other sections of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Clarification- This section shall not apply to produce that is produced by an individual for personal consumption. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Exception for Activities of Facilities Subject to Section 418- This section shall not apply to activities of a facility that are subject to section 418.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Small Entity Compliance Policy Guide- Not later than 180 days after the issuance of regulations under section 419 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue a small entity compliance policy guide setting forth in plain language the requirements of such section 419 and to assist small entities in complying with standards for safe production and harvesting and other activities required under such section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Prohibited Acts- Section 301 (21 U.S.C. 331), as amended by section 103, is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vv) The failure to comply with the requirements under section 419.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) are implemented.No Effect on HACCP Authorities- Nothing in the amendments made by this section limits the authority of the Secretary under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) to revise, issue, or enforce product and category-specific regulations, such as the Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Controls Points Program, the Juice Hazard Analysis Critical Control Program, and the Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 743. AUTHORITY TO COLLECT AND USE FEES.

‘(a) In General- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY- For fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall, in accordance with this section, assess and collect fees from-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the responsible party for each domestic facility (as defined in section 415(b)) and the United States agent for each foreign facility subject to a reinspection in such fiscal year, to cover reinspection-related costs for such year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the responsible party for a domestic facility (as defined in section 415(b)) and an importer who does not comply with a recall order under section 423 or under section 412(f) in such fiscal year, to cover food recall activities associated with such order performed by the Secretary, including technical assistance, follow-up effectiveness checks, and public notifications, for such year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) each importer participating in the voluntary qualified importer program under section 806 in such year, to cover the administrative costs of such program for such year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) each importer subject to a reinspection in such fiscal year, to cover reinspection-related costs for such year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this section-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the term ‘reinspection’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) with respect to domestic facilities (as defined in section 415(b)), 1 or more inspections conducted under section 704 subsequent to an inspection conducted under such provision which identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of this Act, specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the Secretary’s satisfaction; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) with respect to importers, 1 or more examinations conducted under section 801 subsequent to an examination conducted under such provision which identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of this Act, specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved to the Secretary’s satisfaction; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the term ‘reinspection-related costs’ means all expenses, including administrative expenses, incurred in connection with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) arranging, conducting, and evaluating the results of reinspections; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) assessing and collecting reinspection fees under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the term ‘responsible party’ has the meaning given such term in section 417(a)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Establishment of Fees- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall establish the fees to be collected under this section for each fiscal year specified in subsection (a)(1), based on the methodology described under paragraph (2), and shall publish such fees in a Federal Register notice not later than 60 days before the start of each such year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FEE METHODOLOGY- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) FEES- Fees amounts established for collection-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) under subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the reinspection-related activities (including by type or level of reinspection activity, as the Secretary determines applicable) described in such subparagraph (A) for such year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) under subparagraph (B)NUMBER OF VOUCHERS PER PERSON AND PER TRADE-IN VEHICLE- Not more than 1 voucher may be issued for a single person and not more than 1 voucher may be issued for the joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle. of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (B) for such year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) under subparagraph (C)NO COMBINATION OF VOUCHERS- Only 1 voucher issued under the Program may be applied toward the purchase or qualifying lease of a single new fuel efficient automobile. of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (C) for such year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) under subparagraph (D)CAP of subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year shall be based on the Secretary’s estimate of 100 percent of the costs of the activities described in such subparagraph (D) for such year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) OTHER CONSIDERATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) VOLUNTARY QUALIFIED IMPORTER PROGRAM- In establishing the fee amounts under subparagraph (A)(iii) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide for the number of importers who have submitted to the Secretary a notice under section 806(c) informing the Secretary of the intent of such importer to participate in the program under section 806 in such fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) RECOUPMENT- In establishing the fee amounts under subparagraph (A)(iii) for the first 5 fiscal years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall include in such fee a reasonable surcharge that provides a recoupment of the costs expended by the Secretary to establish and implement the first year of the program under section 806. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) CREDITING OF FEES- In establishing the fee amounts under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide for the crediting of fees from the previous year to the next year if the Secretary overestimated the amount of fees needed to carry out such activities, and consider the need to account for any adjustment of fees and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) PUBLISHED GUIDELINES- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a proposed set of guidelines in consideration of the burden of fee amounts on small business. Such consideration may include reduced fee amounts for small businesses. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such guidelines. The Secretary shall adjust the fee schedule for small businesses subject to such fees only through notice and comment rulemaking. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) USE OF FEES- The Secretary shall make all of the fees collected pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A) available solely to pay for the costs referred to in such clause (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), respectively. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Limitations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Fees under subsection (a) shall be refunded for a fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2010 unless the amount of the total appropriations for food safety activities at the Food and Drug Administration for such fiscal year (excluding the amount of fees appropriated for such fiscal year) is equal to or greater than the amount of appropriations for food safety activities at the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal year 2009 (excluding the amount of fees appropriated for such fiscal year), multiplied by the adjustment factor under paragraph (3). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AUTHORITY- If-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the Secretary does not assess fees under subsection (a) for a portion of a fiscal year because paragraph (1) applies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) at a later date in such fiscal year, such paragraph (1) ceases to apply, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





the Secretary may assess and collect such fees under subsection (a), without any modification to the rate of such fees, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) relating to the date fees are to be paid. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ADJUSTMENT FACTOR- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The adjustment factor described in paragraph (1) shall be the total percentage change that occurred in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending June 30 preceding the fiscal year, but in no case shall such adjustment factor be negative. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) COMPOUNDED BASIS- The adjustment under subparagraph (A) made each fiscal year shall be added on a compounded basis to the sum of all adjustments made each fiscal year after fiscal year 2009. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR CATEGORY 3 TRUCKS- Not more than 7.5 percent ofAMOUNT OF CERTAIN FEES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section and subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not collect fees in a fiscal year such that the amount collected-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) under subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1) exceeds $20,000,000; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) under subparagraphs (A) and (D) of subsection (a)(1) exceeds $25,000,000 combined. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) EXCEPTION- If a domestic facility (as defined in section 415(b)) or an importer becomes subject to a fee described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of subsection (a)(1) after the maximum amount of fees has been collected by the Secretary under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may collect a fee from such facility or importer. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Crediting and Availability of Fees- Fees authorized under subsection (a) shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in appropriations Acts. Such fees are authorized to remain available until expended. Such sums as may be necessary may be transferred from the Food and Drug Administration salaries and expenses account without fiscal year limitation to such appropriation account for salaries and expenses with such fiscal year limitation. The sums transferred shall be available solely for the purpose of paying the operating expenses of the Food and Drug Administration employees and contractors performing activities associated with these food safety fees. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Collection of Fees- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall specify in the Federal Register notice described in subsection (b)(1) the time and manner in which fees assessed under this section shall be collected. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) COLLECTION OF UNPAID FEES- In any case where the Secretary does not receive payment of a fee assessed under this section within 30 days after it is due, such fee shall be treated as a claim of the United States Government subject to provisions of subchapter II of chapter 37 of title 31, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Annual Report to Congress- Not later than 120 days after each fiscal year for which fees are assessed under this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, to include a description of fees assessed and collected for each such year and a summary description of the entities paying such fees and the types of business in which such entities engage. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Authorization of Appropriations- For fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter, there is authorized to be appropriated for fees under this section an amount equal to the total funds made available for the Programrevenue amount determined under subsection (b) for the fiscal year, as adjusted or otherwise affected under the other provisions of this section.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Export Certification Fees for Foods and Animal Feed- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY FOR EXPORT CERTIFICATIONS FOR FOOD, INCLUDING ANIMAL FEED- Section 801(e)(4)(A) (21 U.S.C. 381(e)(4)(A)) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ‘a drug’ and inserting ‘a food, drug’; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in clause (i) by striking ‘exported drug’ and inserting ‘exported food, drug’; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in clause (ii) by striking ‘the drug’ each place it appears and inserting ‘the food, drug’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CLARIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION- Section 801(e)(4) (21 U.S.C. 381(e)(4)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) For purposes of this paragraph, a certification by the Secretary shall be made on such basis, and in such form (including a publicly available listing) as the Secretary determines appropriate.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LIMITATIONS ON THE USE AND AMOUNT OF FEES- Paragraph (4) of section 801(e) (21 U.S.C. 381(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) With regard to fees pursuant to subparagraph (B) in connection with written export certifications for food: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Such fees shall be collected and available solely for the costs of the Food and Drug Administration associated with issuing such certifications. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Such fees may not be retained in an amount that exceeds such costs for the respective fiscal year.’ CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Development and Submission of Strategy- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall prepare and transmit to the relevant committees of Congress, and make publicly available on the Internet Web sites of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN- The strategy shall include an implementation plan for use by the Secretaries described under paragraph (1) in carrying out the strategy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RESEARCH- The strategy shall include a coordinated research agenda for use by the Secretaries described under paragraph (1) in conducting research to support the goals and activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) REVISIONS- Not later than 4 years after the date on which the strategy is submitted to the relevant committees of Congress under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall revise and submit to the relevant committees of Congress the strategy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) CONSISTENCY WITH EXISTING PLANS- The strategy described in paragraph (1) shall be used for vouchers for the purchase or qualifying lease of category 3 trucksconsistent with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the National Incident Management System; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the National Response Framework; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the National Preparedness Goals; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) other relevant national strategies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Components- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The strategy shall include a description of the process to be used by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to achieve each goal described in paragraph (2); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to evaluate the progress made by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments towards the achievement of each goal described in paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GOALS- The strategy shall include a description of the process to be used by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security to achieve the following goals: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) PREPAREDNESS GOAL- Enhance the preparedness of the agriculture and food system by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) conducting vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) mitigating vulnerabilities of the system; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) improving communication and training relating to the system; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) developing and conducting exercises to test decontamination and disposal plans; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) developing modeling tools to improve event consequence assessment and decision support; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) preparing risk communication tools and enhancing public awareness through outreach. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DETECTION GOAL- Improve agriculture and food system detection capabilities by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) identifying contamination in food products at the earliest possible time; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conducting surveillance to prevent the spread of diseases. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) EMERGENCY RESPONSE GOAL- Ensure an efficient response to agriculture and food emergencies by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) immediately investigating animal disease outbreaks and suspected food contamination; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) preventing additional human illnesses; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) organizing, training, and equipping animal, plant, and food emergency response teams of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the Federal Government; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) State, local, and tribal governments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) designing, developing, and evaluating training and exercises carried out under agriculture and food defense plans; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) ensuring consistent and organized risk communication to the public by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the Federal Government; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) State, local, and tribal governments; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) the private sector. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) RECOVERY GOAL- Secure agriculture and food production after an agriculture or food emergency by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) working with the private sector to develop business recovery plans to rapidly resume agriculture, food production, and international trade; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conducting exercises of the plans described in subparagraph (C) with the goal of long-term recovery results; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) rapidly removing, and effectively disposing of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) contaminated agriculture and food products; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) infected plants and animals; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) decontaminating and restoring areas affected by an agriculture or food emergency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EVALUATION- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) develop metrics to measure progress for the evaluation process described in paragraph (1)(B); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) report on the progress measured in subparagraph (A) as part of the National Agriculture and Food Defense strategy described in subsection (a)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Limited Distribution- In the interest of national security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may determine the manner and format in which the National Agriculture and Food Defense strategy established under this section is made publicly available on the Internet Web sites of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture, as described in subsection (a)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INITIAL REPORT- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a comprehensive report that identifies programs and practices that are intended to promote the safety and supply chain security of food and to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness and other food-related hazards that can be addressed through preventive activities. Such report shall include a description of the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Analysis of the need for further regulations or guidance to industry. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Outreach to food industry sectors, including through the Food and Agriculture Coordinating Councils referred to in section 109, to identify potential sources of emerging threats to the safety and security of the food supply and preventive strategies to address those threats. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Systems to ensure the prompt distribution to the food industry of information and technical assistance concerning preventive strategies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Communication systems to ensure that information about specific threats to the safety and security of the food supply are rapidly and effectively disseminated. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) COMBINATION WITH OTHER INCENTIVES PERMITTED- The availability or use of a Federal, State, or local incentive or a State-issued voucher for the purchase or lease of a new fuel efficient automobile shall not limit the value or issuance of a voucher under the Program to any person otherwise eligible to receive such a voucherSurveillance systems and laboratory networks to rapidly detect and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks and other food-related hazards, including how such systems and networks are integrated. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) NO ADDITIONAL FEES- A dealer participating in the program may not charge a person purchasing or leasing a new fuel efficient automobileOutreach, education, and training provided to States and local governments to build State and local food safety and food defense capabilities, including progress implementing strategies developed under sections 108 and 205. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) The estimated resources needed to effectively implement the programs and practices identified in the report developed in this section over a 5-year period. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) The impact of requirements under this Act (including amendments made by this Act) on certified organic farms and facilities (as defined in section 415 (21 U.S.C. 350d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Specific efforts taken pursuant to the agreements authorized under section 421(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by section 201), together with, as necessary, a description of any additional fees associated with the use of a voucher under the Program.(G) NUMBER AND AMOUNT- The total number and value of vouchers issued under the Program may not exceed the amounts appropriated for such purposeauthorities necessary to improve seafood safety. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DISPOSITION OF ELIGIBLE TRADE-IN VEHICLESBIENNIAL REPORTS- On a biennial basis following the submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- For each eligible trade-in vehicle surrendered to a dealer under the Program, the dealer shall certify to the Secretary, in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by rule, that the dealer--reviews previous food safety programs and practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) outlines the success of those programs and practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) identifies future programs and practices; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) includes information related to any matter described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of paragraph (1), as necessary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Risk-based Activities- The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall describe methods that seek to ensure that resources available to the Secretary for food safety-related activities are directed at those actions most likely to reduce risks from food, including the use of preventive strategies and allocation of inspection resources. The Secretary shall promptly undertake those risk-based actions that are identified during the development of the report as likely to contribute to the safety and security of the food supply. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Capability for Laboratory Analyses; Research- The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall provide a description of methods to increase capacity to undertake analyses of food samples promptly after collection, to identify new and rapid analytical techniques, including commercially-available techniques that can be employed at ports of entry and by Food Emergency Response Network laboratories, and to provide for well-equipped and staffed laboratory facilities and progress toward laboratory accreditation under section 422 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by section 202). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Information Technology- The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall include a description of such information technology systems as may be needed to identify risks and receive data from multiple sources, including foreign governments, State, local, and tribal governments, other Federal agencies, the food industry, laboratories, laboratory networks, and consumers. The information technology systems that the Secretary describes shall also provide for the integration of the facility registration system under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d), and the prior notice system under section 801(m) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 381(m)) with other information technology systems that are used by the Federal Government for the processing of food offered for import into the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Automated Risk Assessment- The report developed under subsection (a)(1) shall include a description of progress toward developing and improving an automated risk assessment system for food safety surveillance and allocation of resources. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Traceback and Surveillance Report- The Secretary shall include in the report developed under subsection (a)(1) an analysis of the Food and Drug Administration’s performance in foodborne illness outbreaks during the 5-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act involving fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities (as defined in section 201(r) (21 U.S.C. 321(r)) and recommendations for enhanced surveillance, outbreak response, and traceability. Such findings and recommendations shall address communication and coordination with the public, industry, and State and local governments, as such communication and coordination relates to outbreak identification and traceback. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Biennial Food Safety and Food Defense Research Plan- The Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, on a biennial basis, submit to Congress a joint food safety and food defense research plan which may include studying the long-term health effects of foodborne illness. Such biennial plan shall include a list and description of projects conducted during the previous 2-year period and the plan for projects to be conducted during the subsequent 2-year period. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Effectiveness of Programs Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- To determine whether existing Federal programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services are effective in achieving the stated goals of such programs, the Secretary shall, beginning not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) conduct an annual evaluation of each program of such Department to determine the effectiveness of each such program in achieving legislated intent, purposes, and objectives; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) submit to Congress a report concerning such evaluation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT- The report described under paragraph (1)(B) shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) include conclusions concerning the reasons that such existing programs have proven successful or not successful and what factors contributed to such conclusions; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) include recommendations for consolidation and elimination to reduce duplication and inefficiencies in such programs at such Department as identified during the evaluation conduct under this subsection; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) be made publicly available in a publication entitled ‘Guide to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Programs’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) will arrange for the vehicle’s title to be transferred to the United States and will accept possession of the vehicle on behalf of the United States;(ii) has not and will not sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the vehicle for use as an automobile in Unique Identification Numbers- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall conduct a study regarding the need for, and challenges associated with, development and implementation of a program that requires a unique identification number for each food facility registered with the Secretary and, as appropriate, each broker that imports food into the United States. Such study shall include an evaluation of the costs associated with development and implementation of such a system, and make recommendations about what new authorities, if any, would be necessary to develop and implement such a system. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1) and that includes any recommendations determined appropriate by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Definitions- In this section: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM- The term ‘early childhood education program’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a State licensed or regulated child care program or school; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a State prekindergarten program that serves children from birth through kindergarten. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ESEA DEFINITIONS- The terms ‘local educational agency’, ‘secondary school’, ‘elementary school’, and ‘parent’ have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SCHOOL- The term ‘school’ includes public-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) kindergartens; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) elementary schools; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) secondary schools. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of Voluntary Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ESTABLISHMENT- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) develop guidelines to be used on a voluntary basis to develop plans for individuals to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) make such guidelines available to local educational agencies, schools, early childhood education programs, and other interested entities and individuals to be implemented on a voluntary basis only. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPLICABILITY OF FERPA- Each plan described in subparagraph (A) that is developed for an individual shall be considered an education record for the purpose of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (commonly referred to as the ‘Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974’) (20 U.S.C. 1232g). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS- The voluntary guidelines developed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall address each of the following and may be updated as the Secretary determines necessary: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Parental obligation to provide the school or early childhood education program, prior to the start of every school year, with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) documentation from their child’s physician or nurse-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) supporting a diagnosis of food allergy, and any risk of anaphylaxis, if applicable; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) identifying any food to which the United States or in any other country; and(iii) will transfer, on behalf of the United States, the vehicle (including the engine block) and the vehicle’s title, in such manner as the Secretary prescribes, to an entity that will ensure that the vehiclechild is allergic; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) describing, if appropriate, any prior history of anaphylaxis; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) listing any medication prescribed for the child for the treatment of anaphylaxis; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) detailing emergency treatment procedures in the event of a reaction; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) listing the signs and symptoms of a reaction; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) assessing the child’s readiness for self-administration of prescription medication; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a list of substitute meals that may be offered to the child by school or early childhood education program food service personnel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The creation and maintenance of an individual plan for food allergy management, in consultation with the parent, tailored to the needs of each child with a documented risk for anaphylaxis, including any procedures for the self-administration of medication by such children in instances where-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the children are capable of self-administering medication; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) such administration is not prohibited by State law. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Communication strategies between individual schools or early childhood education programs and providers of emergency medical services, including appropriate instructions for emergency medical response. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms and common school or early childhood education program areas such as cafeterias. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) The dissemination of general information on life-threatening food allergies to school or early childhood education program staff, parents, and children. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Food allergy management training of school or early childhood education program personnel who regularly come into contact with children with life-threatening food allergies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) The authorization and training of school or early childhood education program personnel to administer epinephrine when the nurse is not immediately available. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) The timely accessibility of epinephrine by school or early childhood education program personnel when the nurse is not immediately available. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) The creation of a plan contained in each individual plan for food allergy management that addresses the appropriate response to an incident of anaphylaxis of a child while such child is engaged in extracurricular programs of a school or early childhood education program, such as non-academic outings and field trips, before- and after-school programs or before- and after-early child education program programs, and school-sponsored or early childhood education program-sponsored programs held on weekends. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) Maintenance of information for each administration of epinephrine to a child at risk for anaphylaxis and prompt notification to parents. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) Other elements the Secretary determines necessary for the management of food allergies and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RELATION TO STATE LAW- Nothing in this section or the guidelines developed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be construed to preempt State law, including any State law regarding whether students at risk for anaphylaxis may self-administer medication. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) School-based Food Allergy Management Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may award grants to local educational agencies to assist such agencies with implementing voluntary food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPLICATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and including such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CONTENTS- Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) an assurance that the local educational agency has developed plans in accordance with the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a description of the activities to be funded by the grant in carrying out the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) how the guidelines will be carried out at individual schools served by the local educational agency; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) how the local educational agency will inform parents and students of the guidelines in place; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) how school nurses, teachers, administrators, and other school-based staff will be made aware of, and given training on, when applicable, the guidelines in place; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) any other activities that the Secretary determines appropriate; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) an itemization of how grant funds received under this subsection will be crushed or shredded within such period and in such manner as the Secretary prescribes; and(II) has not been, and will not be, sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of for use as an automobile in the United States or in any other countryexpended; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) a description of how adoption of the guidelines and implementation of grant activities will be monitored; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) an agreement by the local educational agency to report information required by the Secretary to conduct evaluations under this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) USE OF FUNDS- Each local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant funds for the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Purchase of materials and supplies, including limited medical supplies such as epinephrine and disposable wet wipes, to support carrying out the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) In partnership with local health departments, school nurse, teacher, and personnel training for food allergy management. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Programs that educate students as to the presence of, and policies and procedures in place related to, food allergies and anaphylactic shock. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Outreach to parents. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Any other activities consistent with the guidelines described in subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DURATION OF AWARDS- The Secretary may award grants under this subsection for a period of not more than 2 years. In the event the Secretary conducts a program evaluation under this subsection, funding in the second year of the grant, where applicable, shall be contingent on a successful program evaluation by the Secretary after the first year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) LIMITATION ON GRANT FUNDING- The Secretary may not provide grant funding to a local educational agency under this subsection after such local educational agency has received 2 years of grant funding under this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ANNUAL AWARDS- A grant awarded under this subsection may not be made in an amount that is more than $50,000 annually. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) PRIORITY- In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies with the highest percentages of children who are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) MATCHING FUNDS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may not award a grant under this subsection unless the local educational agency agrees that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by such local educational agency in carrying out the grant activities, the local educational agency shall make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal funds toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) SAVINGS PROVISION- Nothing in subparagraph DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION- Non-Federal funds required under subparagraph (A) may be construed to preclude a person who is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is crushed or shredded from--(i) selling any parts of the disposed vehicle other than the engine block and drive train (unless the transmission, drive shaft, or rear end ash or in kind, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, and any portion of any service subsidized by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal funds. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS- A local educational agency that receives a grant under this subsection may use not more than 2 percent of the grant amount for administrative costs related to carrying out this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) PROGRESS AND EVALUATIONS- At the completion of the grant period referred to in paragraph (4), a local educational agency shall provide the Secretary with information on how grant funds were spent and the status of implementation of the food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines described in subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT- Grant funds received under this subsection shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds and any other Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Voluntary Nature of Guidelines- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines developed by the Secretary under subsection (b) are sold as separate parts); or

(ii) retaining the proceeds from such sale.

(C) COORDINATION- The Secretary shall coordinate with the Attorney General to ensure that the voluntary. Nothing in this section or the guidelines developed by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall be construed to require a local educational agency to implement such guidelines. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(2) EXCEPTION- Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may enforce an agreement by a local educational agency to implement food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines as a condition of the receipt of a grant under subsection (c). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- Not later than 90 days prior to the issuance of any guidance, regulation, or suggested amendment by the Food and Drug Administration to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and other publicly accessible systems are appropriately updated on a timely basis to reflect the crushing or shredding of vehicles under this Act and appropriate re-classification of the vehicles’ titles. The commercial market shall also have electronic and commercial access to the vehicle identification numbers of vehicles that have been disposed of on a timely basis.(d) Regulations- Notwithstanding the requirements of section 553Shellfish Sanitation Program’s Model Ordinance, or the issuance of any guidance or regulation by the Food and Drug Administration relating to the Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program of the Food and Drug Administration (parts 123 and 1240 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary shall promulgate21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), where such guidance, regulation or suggested amendment relates to post harvest processing for raw oysters, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report which shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an assessment of how post harvest processing or other equivalent controls feasibly may be implemented in the fastest, safest, and most economical manner; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the projected public health benefits of any proposed post harvest processing; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the projected costs of compliance with such post harvest processing measures; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the impact post harvest processing is expected to have on the sales, cost, and availability of raw oysters; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) criteria for ensuring post harvest processing standards will be applied equally to shellfish imported from all nations of origin; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) an evaluation of alternative measures to prevent, eliminate, or reduce to an acceptable level the occurrence of foodborne illness; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the extent to which the Food and Drug Administration has consulted with the States and other regulatory agencies, as appropriate, with regard to post harvest processing measures. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitation- Subsection (a) shall not apply to the guidance described in section 103(h). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Review and Evaluation- Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a proposed regulation or guidance described in subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review and evaluate the report described in (a) and report to Congress on the findings of the estimates and analysis in the report; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) compare such proposed regulation or guidance to similar regulations or guidance with respect to other regulated foods, including a comparison of risks the Secretary may find associated with seafood and the instances of those risks in such other regulated foods; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) evaluate the impact of post harvest processing on the competitiveness of the domestic oyster industry in the United States and in international markets. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Waiver- The requirement of preparing a report under subsection (a) shall be waived if the Secretary issues a guidance that is adopted as a consensus agreement between Federal and State regulators and the oyster industry, acting through the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Public Access- Any report prepared under this section shall be made available to the public. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Until the date on which the Secretary promulgates a final regulations to implement the Program not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Such regulations shall--

(1) provide for a means of registering dealers for participation in the program;

(2) establish procedures for the reimbursement of dealers participating in the Program to be made through electronic transfer of funds for the amount of the vouchers as soon as practicable but no longer than 10 days after the submission of information supporting the eligible transaction, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;

(3) require the dealer to use the voucher in addition to any other rebate or discount advertised by the dealer or offered by the manufacturer for the new fuel efficient automobile and prohibit the dealer from using the voucher to offset any such other rebate or discount;

(4) require dealers to disclose to the person trading in an eligible trade in vehicle the best estimate of the scrappage value of such vehicle;

(5) require dealers to accept on behalf of the United States, and Transfer toule that implements the amendments made by section 308 of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, (Public Law 107-188), the Secretary shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of all instances in which the Secretary refuses to admit a food into the United States under section 801(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) so that the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, may prevent food refused admittance into the United States by a United States port of entry from being admitted by another United States port of entry, through the notification of other such United States ports of entry. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- Except as provided by sections 102, 206, 207, 302, 304, 402, 403, and 404 of this Act, and the amendments made by such sections, nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to apply to a facility that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) or chapter 51 of subtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 5001 et seq.) is required to obtain a permit or to register with the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount paid for scrappage of the vehicle up to $60;

(6) permit the dealer to retain any amounts paid to the dealer for scrappage of the automobile in excess of the $60 amount referred to in paragraph (5) and designate $50 of such excess as payment for any administrative costs to the dealer associated with participation in the Program;

(7) clarify that dealers will not be reimbursed for any storage fees or as a condition of doing business in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(2) under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d) is required to register as a facility because such facility is engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding 1 or more alcoholic beverages, with respect to the activities of such facility that relate to the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of alcoholic beverages. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limited Receipt and Distribution of Non-alcohol Food- Subsection (a) shall not apply to a facility engaged in the receipt and distribution of any non-alcohol food, except that such paragraph shall apply to a facility described in such paragraph that receives and distributes non-alcohol food, provided such food is received and distributed-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in a prepackaged form that prevents any direct human contact with such food; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in amounts that constitute not more than 5 percent of the overall sales of such facility, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Rule of Construction- Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b), this section shall not be construed to exempt any food, other than alcoholic beverages, as defined in section 214 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 214), from the requirements of this Act (including the amendments made by this Act). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 421. TARGETING OF INSPECTION RESOURCES FOR DOMESTIC FACILITIES, FOREIGN FACILITIES, AND PORTS OF ENTRY; ANNUAL REPORT.

‘(a) Identification and Inspection of Facilities- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IDENTIFICATION- The Secretary shall identify high-risk facilities and shall allocate resources to inspect facilities according to the known safety risks of the facilities, which shall be based on the following factors: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The known safety risks of the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at the facility. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The compliance history of a facility, including with regard to food recalls, outbreaks of foodborne illness, and violations of food safety standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The rigor and effectiveness of the facility’s hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Whether the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at the facility meets the criteria for priority under section 801(h)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) Whether the food or the facility that manufactured, processed, packed, or held such food has received a certification as described in section 801(q) or 806, as appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) Any other criteria deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary for purposes of allocating inspection resources. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) INSPECTIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Beginning on the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall increase the frequency of inspection of all facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DOMESTIC HIGH-RISK FACILITIES- The Secretary shall increase the frequency of inspection of domestic facilities identified under paragraph (1) as high-risk facilities such that each such facility is inspected-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not less often than once in the 5-year period following the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) not less often than once every 3 years thereafter. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) DOMESTIC NON-HIGH-RISK FACILITIES- The Secretary shall ensure that each domestic facility that is not identified under paragraph (1) as a high-risk facility is inspected-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not less often than once in the 7-year period following the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) not less often than once every 5 years thereafter. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) FOREIGN FACILITIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) YEAR 1- In the 1-year period following the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall inspect not fewer than 600 foreign facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) SUBSEQUENT YEARS- In each of the 5 years following the 1-year period described in clause (i), the Secretary shall inspect not fewer than twice the number of foreign facilities inspected by the Secretary during the previous year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) RELIANCE ON FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL INSPECTIONS- In meeting the inspection requirements under this subsection for domestic facilities, the Secretary may rely on inspections conducted by other costs associated with their custodial handling of the eligible trade-in vehicle;(8) consistent with subsection (c)(2), establish requirements and procedures for the disposal of eligible trade-in vehicles and provide such information as Federal, State, or local agencies under interagency agreement, contract, memoranda of understanding, or other obligation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Identification and Inspection at Ports of Entry- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall allocate resources to inspect any article of food imported into the United States according to the known safety risks of the article of food, which shall be based on the following factors: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The known safety risks of the food imported. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The known safety risks of the countries or regions of origin and countries through which such article of food is transported. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The compliance history of the importer, including with regard to food recalls, outbreaks of foodborne illness, and violations of food safety standards. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) The rigor and effectiveness of the activities conducted by the importer of such article of food to satisfy the requirements of the foreign supplier verification program under section 805. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Whether the food importer participates in the voluntary qualified importer program under section 806. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) Whether the food meets the criteria for priority under section 801(h)(1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) Whether the food or the facility that manufactured, processed, packed, or held such food received a certification as described in section 801(q) or 806. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) Any other criteria deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary for purposes of allocating inspection resources. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Interagency Agreements With Respect to Seafood- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the heads of other appropriate agencies may enter into such agreements as may be necessary or appropriate to improve seafood safety. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) SCOPE OF AGREEMENTS- The agreements under paragraph (1) may include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) cooperative arrangements for examining and testing seafood imports that leverage the resources, capabilities, and authorities of each party to the agreement; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) coordination of inspections of foreign facilities to increase the percentage of imported seafood and seafood facilities inspected; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) standardization of data on seafood names, inspection records, and laboratory testing to improve interagency coordination; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) coordination to detect and investigate violations under applicable Federal law; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) a process, including the use or modification of existing processes, by which officers and employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may be necessary to entities engaged in such disposal to ensure that such vehicles are disposed of in accordance with such requirements and procedures, including--(A) requirements for the removal and appropriate disposition of refrigerants, antifreeze, lead products, mercury switches, and such other toxic or hazardous vehicle components prior to the crushing or shredding of an eligible trade-in vehicle, in accordance with rulesduly designated by the Secretary to carry out seafood examinations and investigations under section 801 of this Act or section 203 of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) the sharing of information concerning observed non-compliance with United States food requirements domestically and in foreign nations and new regulatory decisions and policies that may affect the safety of food imported into the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) conducting joint training on subjects that affect and strengthen seafood inspection effectiveness by Federal authorities; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) outreach on Federal efforts to enhance seafood safety and compliance with Federal food safety requirements. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Coordination- The Secretary shall improve coordination and cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security to target food inspection resources. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Facility- For purposes of this section, the term ‘facility’ means a domestic facility or a foreign facility that is required to register under section 415.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Annual Report- Section 1003 (21 U.S.C. 393) is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Annual Report Regarding Food- Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report, including efforts to coordinate and cooperate with other Federal agencies with responsibilities for food inspections, regarding-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) information about food facilities including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the appropriations used to inspect facilities registered pursuant to section 415 in the previous fiscal year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the average cost of both a non-high-risk food facility inspection and a high-risk food facility inspection, if such a difference exists, in the previous fiscal year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the number of domestic facilities and the number of foreign facilities registered pursuant to section 415 that the Secretary inspected in the previous fiscal year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the number of domestic facilities and the number of foreign facilities registered pursuant to section 415 that were scheduled for inspection in the previous fiscal year and which the Secretary did not inspect in such year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the number of high-risk facilities identified pursuant to section 421 that the Secretary inspected in the previous fiscal year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) the number of high-risk facilities identified pursuant to section 421 that were scheduled for inspection in the previous fiscal year and which the Secretary did not inspect in such year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) information about food imports including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the number of lines of food imported into the United States that the Secretary physically inspected or sampled in the previous fiscal year; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the number of lines of food imported into the United States that the Secretary did not physically inspect or sample in the previous fiscal year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the average cost of physically inspecting or sampling a line of food subject to this Act that is imported or offered for import into the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) information on the foreign offices of the Food and Drug Administration including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the number of foreign offices established; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the number of personnel permanently stationed in each foreign office. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Public Availability of Annual Food Reports- The Secretary shall make the reports required under subsection (h) available to the public on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Advisory Committee Consultation- In allocating inspection resources as described in section 421 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary may, as appropriate, consult with any relevant advisory committee within the Department of Health and Human Services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 422. LABORATORY ACCREDITATION FOR ANALYSES OF FOODS.

‘(a) Recognition of Laboratory Accreditation- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) establish a program for the testing of food by accredited laboratories; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) establish a publicly available registry of accreditation bodies recognized by the Secretary and laboratories accredited by a recognized accreditation body, including the name of, contact information for, and other information deemed appropriate by the Secretary about such bodies and laboratories; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) require, as a condition of recognition or accreditation, as appropriate, that recognized accreditation bodies and accredited laboratories report to the Secretary any changes that would affect the recognition of such accreditation body or the accreditation of such laboratory. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS- The program established under paragraph (1)(A) shall provide for the recognition of laboratory accreditation bodies that meet criteria established by the Secretary in consultation withfor accreditation of laboratories, including independent private laboratories and laboratories run and operated by a Federal agency (including the Department of Commerce), State, or locality with a demonstrated capability to conduct 1 or more sampling and analytical testing methodologies for food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) INCREASING THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED LABORATORIES- The Secretary shall work with the laboratory accreditation bodies recognized under paragraph (1), as appropriate, to increase the number of qualified laboratories that are eligible to perform testing under subparagraph (b) beyond the number so qualified on the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) LIMITED DISTRIBUTION- In the interest of national security, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may determine the time, manner, and form in which the registry established under paragraph (1)(B) is made publicly available. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) FOREIGN LABORATORIES- Accreditation bodies recognized by the Secretary under paragraph (1) may accredit laboratories that operate outside the United States, so long as such laboratories meet the accreditation standards applicable to domestic laboratories accredited under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) MODEL LABORATORY STANDARDS- The Secretary shall develop model standards that a laboratory shall meet to be accredited by a recognized accreditation body for a specified sampling or analytical testing methodology and included in the registry provided for under paragraph (1). In developing the model standards, the Secretary shall consult existing standards for guidance. The model standards shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) methods to ensure that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) appropriate sampling, analytical procedures (including rapid analytical procedures), and commercially available techniques are followed and reports of analyses are certified as true and accurate; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) internal quality systems are established and maintained; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) procedures exist to evaluate and respond promptly to complaints regarding analyses and other activities for which the laboratory is accredited; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) individuals who conduct the sampling and analyses are qualified by training and experience to do so; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) any other criteria determined appropriate by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) REVIEW OF RECOGNITION- To ensure compliance with the requirements of this section, the Secretary-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall periodically, and in no case less than once every 5 years, reevaluate accreditation bodies recognized under paragraph (1) and may accompany auditors from an accreditation body to assess whether the accreditation body meets the criteria for recognition; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) shall promptly revoke the recognition of any accreditation body found not to be in compliance with the requirements of this section, specifying, as appropriate, any terms and conditions necessary for laboratories accredited by such body to continue to perform testing as described in this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Testing Procedures- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, food testing shall be conducted by Federal laboratories or non-Federal laboratories that have been accredited for the appropriate sampling or analytical testing methodology or methodologies by a recognized accreditation body on the registry established by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1)(B) whenever such testing is conducted-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) by or on behalf of an owner or consignee-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) in response to a specific testing requirement under this Act or implementing regulations, when applied to address an identified or suspected food safety problem; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) as required by the Secretary, as the Secretary deems appropriate, to address an identified or suspected food safety problem; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) on behalf of an owner or consignee-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) in support of admission of an article of food under section 801(a); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) under an Import Alert that requires successful consecutive tests. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) RESULTS OF TESTING- The results of any such testing shall be sent directly to the Food and Drug Administration, except the Secretary may by regulation exempt test results from such submission requirement if the Secretary determines that such results do not contribute to the protection of public health. Test results required to be submitted may be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration through electronic means. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) EXCEPTION- The Secretary may waive requirements under this subsection if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) a new methodology or methodologies have been developed and validated but a laboratory has not yet been accredited to perform such methodology or methodologies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the use of such methodology or methodologies are necessary to prevent, control, or mitigate a food emergency or foodborne illness outbreak. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Review by Secretary- If food sampling and testing performed by a laboratory run and operated by a State or locality that is accredited by a recognized accreditation body on the registry established by the Secretary under subsection (a) result in a State recalling a food, the Secretary shall review the sampling and testing results for the purpose of determining the need for a national recall or other compliance and enforcement activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) No Limit on Secretarial Authority- Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of the Secretary to review and act upon information from food testing, including determining the sufficiency of such information and testing.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Food Emergency Response Network- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and State, local, and tribal governments shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, submit to the relevant committees of Congress, and make publicly available on the Internet Web site of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the progress in implementing a national food emergency response laboratory network that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provides ongoing surveillance, rapid detection, and surge capacity for large-scale food-related emergencies, including intentional adulteration of the food supply; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) coordinates the food laboratory capacities of State, local, and tribal food laboratories, including the adoption of novel surveillance and identification technologies and the sharing of data between Federal agencies and State laboratories to develop national situational awareness; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent food laboratory services throughout the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) develops and implements a methods repository for use by Federal, State, and local officials; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) responds to food-related emergencies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) is integrated with relevant laboratory networks administered by other Federal agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and in accordance with othershall maintain an agreement through which relevant laboratory network members, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) agree on common laboratory methods in order to reduce the time required to detect and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information relating to animal health, agriculture, and human health; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) identify means by which laboratory network members could work cooperatively-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to optimize national laboratory preparedness; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to provide surge capacity during emergencies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) engage in ongoing dialogue and build relationships that will support a more effective and integrated response during emergencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reporting Requirement- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, on a biennial basis, submit to the relevant committees of Congress, and make publicly available on the Internet Web site of the Department of Homeland Security, a report on the progress of the integrated consortium of laboratory networks, as established under subsection (a), in carrying out this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Pilot Projects- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’), taking into account recommendations from the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of health and agriculture, shall establish pilot projects in coordination with the food industry to explore and evaluate methods to rapidly and effectively identify recipients of food to prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak and to address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals as a result of such food being adulterated under section 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342) or misbranded under section 403(w) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 343(w)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT- The Secretary shall conduct 1 or more pilot projects under paragraph (1) in coordination with the processed food sector and 1 or more such pilot projects in coordination with processors or distributors of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities. The Secretary shall ensure that the pilot projects under paragraph (1) reflect the diversity of the food supply and include at least 3 different types of foods that have been the subject of significant outbreaks during the 5-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act, and are selected in order to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) develop and demonstrate methods for rapid and effective tracking and tracing of foods in a manner that is practicable for facilities of varying sizes, including small businesses; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop and demonstrate appropriate technologies, including technologies existing on the date of enactment of this Act, that enhance the tracking and tracing of food; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) inform the promulgation of regulations under subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REPORT- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the findings of the pilot projects under this subsection together with recommendations for improving the tracking and tracing of food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Additional Data Gathering- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and multiple representatives of State departments of health and agriculture, shall assess-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the costs and benefits associated with the adoption and use of several product tracing technologies, including technologies used in the pilot projects under subsection (a); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the feasibility of such technologies for different sectors of the food industry, including small businesses; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) whether such technologies are compatible with the requirements of this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS- To the extent practicable, in carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) evaluate domestic and international product tracing practices in commercial use; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) consider international efforts, including an assessment of whether product tracing requirements developed under this section are compatible with global tracing systems, as appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) consult with a diverse and broad range of experts and stakeholders, including representatives of the food industry, agricultural producers, and nongovernmental organizations that represent the interests of consumers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Product Tracing System- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall, as appropriate, establish within the Food and Drug Administration a product tracing system to receive information that improves the capacity of the Secretary to effectively and rapidly track and trace food that is in the United States or offered for import into the United States. Prior to the establishment of such product tracing system, the Secretary shall examine the results of applicable Federal or State requirements;(B) a mechanism for dealers to certify to the Secretary pilot projects and shall ensure that the activities of such system are adequately supported by the results of such pilot projects. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Additional Recordkeeping Requirements for High Risk Foods- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In order to rapidly and effectively identify recipients of a food to prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak and to address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals as a result of such food being adulterated under section 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or misbranded under section 403(w) of such Act, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish recordkeeping requirements, in addition to the requirements under section 414 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350c) and subpart J of part 1 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), for facilities that each eligible trade-in vehicle will be transferred by the dealer on behalf of the United States to an entity that will ensure that the vehicle is disposed of, in accordance with such requirements and procedures, and to submit the vehicle identification numbers of the vehicles disposed of and the new fuel efficient automobile purchased with each voucher;

(C) a mechanism for obtaining such other certifications as determined necessary by the Secretary from entities engaged in vehicle disposal; and

(D) a list of entities to which dealers manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods that the Secretary designates under paragraph (2) as high-risk foods. The Secretary shall set an appropriate effective date of such additional requirements for foods designated as high risk that takes into account the length of time necessary to comply with such requirements. Such requirements shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(A) relate only to information that is reasonably available and appropriate; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) be science-based; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) not prescribe specific technologies for the maintenance of records; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) ensure that the public health benefits of imposing additional recordkeeping requirements outweigh the cost of compliance with such requirements; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) be scale-appropriate and practicable for facilities of varying sizes and capabilities with respect to costs and recordkeeping burdens, and not require the creation and maintenance of duplicate records where the information is contained in other company records kept in the normal course of business; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) minimize the number of different recordkeeping requirements for facilities that handle more than 1 type of food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) to the extent practicable, not require a facility to change business systems to comply with such requirements; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) allow any person subject to this subsection to maintain records required under this subsection at a central or reasonably accessible location provided that such records can be made available to the Secretary not later than 24 hours after the Secretary requests such records; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) include a process by which the Secretary may issue a waiver of the requirements under this subsection if the Secretary determines that such requirements would result in an economic hardship for an individual facility or a type of facility; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) be commensurate with the known safety risks of the designated food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) take into account international trade obligations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) not require-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a full pedigree, or a record of the complete previous distribution history of the food from the point of origin of such food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) records of recipients of a food beyond the immediate subsequent recipient of such food; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) product tracking to the case level by persons subject to such requirements; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) include a process by which the Secretary may transfer eligible trade-in vehicles for disposal; and(9) provide for the enforcement of the penalties described in subsection (eremove a high-risk food designation developed under paragraph (2) for a food or type of food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DESIGNATION OF HIGH-RISK FOODS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and thereafter as the Secretary determines necessary, the Secretary shall designate high-risk foods for which the additional recordkeeping requirements described in paragraph (1) are appropriate and necessary to protect the public health. Each such designation shall be based on-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the known safety risks of a particular food, including the history and severity of foodborne illness outbreaks attributed to such food, taking into consideration foodborne illness data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the likelihood that a particular food has a high potential risk for microbiological or chemical contamination or would support the growth of pathogenic microorganisms due to the nature of the food or the processes used to produce such food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the point in the manufacturing process of the food where contamination is most likely to occur; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the likelihood of contamination and steps taken during the manufacturing process to reduce the possibility of contamination; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) the likelihood that consuming a particular food will result in a foodborne illness due to contamination of the food; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) the likely or known severity, including health and economic impacts, of a foodborne illness attributed to a particular food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) LIST OF HIGH-RISK FOODS- At the time the Secretary promulgates the final rules under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish the list of the foods designated under subparagraph (A) as high-risk foods on the Internet website of the Food and Drug Administration. The Secretary may update the list to designate new high-risk foods and to remove foods that are no longer deemed to be high-risk foods, provided that each such update to the list is consistent with the requirements of this subsection and notice of such update is published in the Federal Register. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION- In promulgating regulations under this subsection, the Secretary shall take appropriate measures to ensure that there are effective procedures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information that is obtained by the Secretary pursuant to this section, including periodic risk assessment and planning to prevent unauthorized release and controls to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) prevent unauthorized reproduction of trade secret or confidential information; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) prevent unauthorized access to trade secret or confidential information; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) maintain records with respect to access by any person to trade secret or confidential information maintained by the agency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) PUBLIC INPUT- During the comment period in the notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct not less than 3 public meetings in diverse geographical areas of the United States to provide persons in different regions an opportunity to comment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) RETENTION OF RECORDS- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Secretary may require that a facility retain records under this subsection for not more than 2 years, taking into consideration the risk of spoilage, loss of value, or loss of palatability of the applicable food when determining the appropriate timeframes. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) LIMITATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS- In establishing requirements under this subsection, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, consider the impact of requirements on farm to school or farm to institution programs of the Department of Agriculture and other farm to school and farm to institution programs outside such agency, and shall modify the requirements under this subsection, as appropriate, with respect to such programs so that the requirements do not place undue burdens on farm to school or farm to institution programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) IDENTITY-PRESERVED LABELS WITH RESPECT TO FARM SALES OF FOOD THAT IS PRODUCED AND PACKAGED ON A FARM- The requirements under this subsection shall not apply to a food that is produced and packaged on a farm if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the packaging of the food maintains the integrity of the product and prevents subsequent contamination or alteration of the product; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the labeling of the food includes the name, complete address (street address, town, State, country, and zip or other postal code), and business phone number of the farm, unless the Secretary waives the requirement to include a business phone number of the farm, as appropriate, in order to accommodate a religious belief of the individual in charge of such farm. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) FISHING VESSELS- The requirements under this subsection with respect to a food that is produced through the use of a fishing vessel (as defined in section 3(18) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(18))) shall be limited to the requirements under subparagraph (F) until such time as the food is sold by the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such fishing vessel. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) COMMINGLED RAW AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) LIMITATION ON EXTENT OF TRACING- Recordkeeping requirements under this subsection with regard to any commingled raw agricultural commodity shall be limited to the requirements under subparagraph (F). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) DEFINITIONS- For the purposes of this subparagraph-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the term ‘commingled raw agricultural commodity’ means any commodity that is combined or mixed after harvesting, but before processing; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) the term ‘commingled raw agricultural commodity’ shall not include types of fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities for which the Secretary has determined that standards promulgated under section 419 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by section 105) would minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) the term ‘processing’ means operations that alter the general state of the commodity, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, milling, grinding, pasteurization, or homogenization. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) EXEMPTION OF OTHER FOODS- The Secretary may, by notice in the Federal Register, modify the requirements under this subsection with respect to, or exempt a food or a type of facility from, the requirements of this subsection (other than the requirements under subparagraph (F), if applicable) if the Secretary determines that product tracing requirements for such food (such as bulk or commingled ingredients that are intended to be processed to destroy pathogens) or type of facility is not necessary to protect the public health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) RECORDKEEPING REGARDING PREVIOUS SOURCES AND SUBSEQUENT RECIPIENTS- In the case of a person or food to which a limitation or exemption under subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) applies, if such person, or a person who manufactures, processes, packs, or holds such food, is required to register with the Secretary under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350d) with respect to the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of the applicable food, the Secretary shall require such person to maintain records that identify the immediate previous source of such food and the immediate subsequent recipient of such food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) GROCERY STORES- With respect to a sale of a food described in subparagraph (H) to a grocery store, the Secretary shall not require such grocery store to maintain records under this subsection other than records documenting the farm that was the source of such food. The Secretary shall not require that such records be kept for more than 180 days. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) FARM SALES TO CONSUMERS- The Secretary shall not require a farm to maintain any distribution records under this subsection with respect to a sale of a food described in subparagraph (I) (including a sale of a food that is produced and packaged on such farm), if such sale is made by the farm directly to a consumer. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) SALE OF A FOOD- A sale of a food described in this subparagraph is a sale of a food in which-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the food is produced on a farm; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the sale is made by the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such farm directly to a consumer or grocery store. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) NO IMPACT ON NON-HIGH-RISK FOODS- The recordkeeping requirements established under paragraph (1) shall have no effect on foods that are not designated by the Secretary under paragraph (2) as high-risk foods. Foods described in the preceding sentence shall be subject solely to the recordkeeping requirements under section 414 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350c) and subpart J of part 1 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Anti-Fraud ProvisEvaluation and Recommendations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) VIOLATION- It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision under this Act or any regulations issued pursuant to REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the effective date of the final rule promulgated under subsection (d)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report, taking into consideration the costs of compliance and other regulatory burdens on small businesses and Federal, State, and local food safety practices and requirements, that evaluates the public health benefits and risks, if any, of limiting-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the product tracing requirements under subsection (d) (other than byto foods identified under paragraph (2) of such subsection, including whether such requirements provide adequate assurance of traceability in the event of intentional adulteration, including by acts of terrorism; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the participation of restaurants in the recordkeeping requirements. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DETERMINATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS- In conducting the evaluation and report under paragraph (1), if the Comptroller General of the United States determines that the limitations described in such paragraph do not adequately protect the public health, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress recommendations, if appropriate, regarding recordkeeping requirements for restaurants and additional foods, in order to protect the public health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Farms- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION- Notwithstanding subsection (d), during an active investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak, or if the Secretary determines it is necessary to protect the public health and prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak, the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with State and local agencies responsible for food safety, as appropriate, may request that the owner, operator, or agent of a farm identify potential immediate recipients, other than consumers, of an article of the food that is the subject of such investigation if the Secretary reasonably believes such article of food-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) is adulterated under section 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) was adulterated as described in subparagraph (A) on a particular farm (as defined in section 1.227 of chapter 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MANNER OF REQUEST- In making a clerical error)request under paragraph (1), the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with State and local agencies responsible for food safety, as appropriate, shall issue a written notice to the owner, operator, or agent of the farm to which the article of food has been traced. The individual providing such notice shall present to such owner, operator, or agent appropriate credentials and shall deliver such notice at reasonable times and within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DELIVERY OF INFORMATION REQUESTED- The owner, operator, or agent of a farm shall deliver the information requested under paragraph (1) in a prompt and reasonable manner. Such information may consist of records kept in the normal course of business, and may be in electronic or non-electronic format. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) LIMITATION- A request made under paragraph (1) shall not include a request for information relating to the finances, pricing of commodities produced, personnel, research, sales (other than information relating to shipping), or other disclosures that may reveal trade secrets or confidential information from the farm to which the article of food has been traced, other than information necessary to identify potential immediate recipients of such food. Section 301(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Freedom of Information Act shall apply with respect to any confidential commercial information that is disclosed to the Food and Drug Administration in the course of responding to a request under paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) RECORDS- Except with respect to identifying potential immediate recipients in response to a request under this subsection, nothing in this subsection shall require the establishment or maintenance by farms of new records. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) No Limitation on Commingling of Food- Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to impose any limitation on the commingling of food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Small Entity Compliance Guide- Not later than 180 days after promulgation of a final rule under subsection (d), the Secretary shall issue a small entity compliance guide setting forth in plain language the requirements of the regulations under such subsection in order to assist small entities, including farms and small businesses, in complying with the recordkeeping requirements under such subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Flexibility for Small Businesses- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the regulations promulgated under subsection (d) shall apply-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to small businesses (as defined by the Secretary in section 103, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act) beginning on the date that is 1 year after the effective date of the final regulations promulgated under subsection (d); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to very small businesses (as defined by the Secretary in section 103, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act) beginning on the date that is 2 years after the effective date of the final regulations promulgated under subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Enforcement- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROHIBITED ACTS- Section 301(e) (21 U.S.C. 331(e)) is amended by inserting ‘; or the violation of any recordkeeping requirement under section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (except when such violation is committed by a farm)’ before the period at the end. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PENALTIES- AIMPORTS- Section 801(a) (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) is amended by inserting ‘or (4) the recordkeeping requirements under section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (other than the requirements under subsection (f) of such section) have not been complied with regarding such article,’ in the third sentence before ‘then such article shall be refused admission’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 423. MANDATORY RECALL AUTHORITY.

‘(a) Voluntary Procedures- If the Secretary determines, based on information gathered through the reportable food registry under section 417 or through any other means, that there is a reasonable probability that an article of food (other than infant formula) is adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w) and the use of or exposure to such article will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, the Secretary shall provide the responsible party (as defined in section 417) with an opportunity to cease distribution and recall such article. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Prehearing Order To Cease Distribution and Give Notice- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- If the responsible party refuses to or does not voluntarily cease distribution or recall such article within the time and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary (if so prescribed), the Secretary may, by order require, as the Secretary deems necessary, such person to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) immediately cease distribution of such article; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) as applicable, immediately notify all persons-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) manufacturing, processing, packing, transporting, distributing, receiving, holding, or importing and selling such article; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) to which such article has been distributed, transported, or sold, to immediately cease distribution of such article. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REQUIRED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- If an article of food covered by a recall order issued under paragraph (1)(B) has been distributed to a warehouse-based third party logistics provider without providing such provider sufficient information to know or reasonably determine the precise identity of the article of food covered by a recall order that is in its possession, the notice provided by the responsible party subject to the order issued under paragraph (1)(B) shall include such information as is necessary for the warehouse-based third party logistics provider to identify the food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) to exempt a warehouse-based third party logistics provider from the requirements of this Act, including the requirements in this section and section 414; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) to exempt a warehouse-based third party logistics provider from being the subject of a mandatory recall order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) DETERMINATION TO LIMIT AREAS AFFECTED- If the Secretary requires a responsible party to cease distribution under paragraph (1)(A) of an article of food identified in subsection (a), the Secretary may limit the size of the geographic area and the markets affected by such cessation if such limitation would not compromise the public health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Hearing on Order- The Secretary shall provide the responsible party subject to an order under subsection (b) with an opportunity for an informal hearing, to be held as soon as possible, but not later than 2 days after the issuance of the order, on the actions required by the order and on why the article that is the subject of the order should not be recalled. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Post-hearing Recall Order and Modification of Order- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AMENDMENT OF ORDER- If, after providing opportunity for an informal hearing under subsection (c), the Secretary determines that removal of the article from commerce is necessary, the Secretary shall, as appropriate-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) amend the order to require recall of such article or other appropriate action; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) specify a timetable in which the recall shall occur; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) require periodic reports to the Secretary describing the progress of the recall; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) provide notice to consumers to whom such article was, or may have been, distributed. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) VACATING OF ORDER- If, after such hearing, the Secretary determines that adequate grounds do not exist to continue the actions required by the order, or that such actions should be modified, the Secretary shall vacate the order or modify the order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Rule Regarding Alcoholic Beverages- The Secretary shall not initiate a mandatory recall or take any other action under this section with respect to any alcohol beverage until the Secretary has provided the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau with a reasonable opportunity to cease distribution and recall such article under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau authority. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Cooperation and Consultation- The Secretary shall work with State and local public health officials in carrying out this section, as appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Public Notification- In conducting a recall under this section, the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ensure that a press release is published regarding the recall, as well as alerts and public notices, as appropriate, in order to provide notification-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) of the recall to consumers and retailers to whom such article was, or may have been, distributed; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) that includes, at a minimum-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the name of the article of food subject to the recall; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a description of the risk associated with such article; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) to the extent practicable, information for consumers about similar articles of food that are not affected by the recall; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) consult the policies of the Department of Agriculture regarding providing to the public a list of retail consignees receiving products involved in a Class I recall and shall consider providing such a list to the public, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) if available, publish on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration an image of the article that is the subject of the press release described in (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) No Delegation- The authority conferred by this section to order a recall or vacate a recall order shall not be delegated to any officer or employee other than the Commissioner. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Effect- Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of the Secretary to request or participate in a voluntary recall, or to issue an order to cease distribution or to recall under any other provision of this Act or under the Public Health Service Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Coordinated Communication- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- To assist in carrying out the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish an incident command operation or a similar operation within the Department of Health and Human Services that will operate not later than 24 hours after the initiation of a mandatory recall or the recall of an article of food for which the use of, or exposure to, such article will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REQUIREMENTS- To reduce the potential for miscommunication during recalls or regarding investigations of a food borne illness outbreak associated with a food that is subject to a recall, each incident command operation or similar operation under paragraph (1) shall use regular staff and resources of the Department of Health and Human Services to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) ensure timely and coordinated communication within the Department, including enhanced communication and coordination between different agencies and organizations within the Department; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ensure timely and coordinated communication from the Department, including public statements, throughout the duration of the investigation and related foodborne illness outbreak; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) identify a single point of contact within the Department for public inquiries regarding any actions by the Secretary related to a recall; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) coordinate with Federal, State, local, and tribal authorities, as appropriate, that have responsibilities related to the recall of a food or a foodborne illness outbreak associated with a food that is subject to the recall, including notification of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Education in the event such recalled food is a commodity intended for use in a child nutrition program (as identified in section 25(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769f(b)); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) conclude operations at such time as the Secretary determines appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) MULTIPLE RECALLS- The Secretary may establish multiple or concurrent incident command operations or similar operations in the event of multiple recalls or foodborne illness outbreaks necessitating such action by the Department of Health and Human Services.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Search Engine- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall modify the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration to include a search engine that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) is consumer-friendly, as determined by the Secretary; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provides a means by which an individual may locate relevant information regarding each article of food subject to a recall under section 423 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the status of such recall (such as whether a recall is ongoing or has been completed). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Civil Penalty- Section 303(f)(2)(A) (21 U.S.C. 333(f)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘or any person who commits a violation described in does not comply with a recall order under section 423’ after ‘section 402(a)(2)(B)’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Prohibited Acts- Section 301 (21 U.S.C. 331 et seq.), as amended by section 106, is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(xx) The refusal or failure to follow an order under section 423.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) GAO Review- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) identifies State and local agencies with the authority to require the mandatory recall of food, and evaluates use of such authority with regard to frequency, effectiveness, and appropriateness, including consideration of any new or existing mechanisms available to compensate persons for general and specific recall-related costs when a recall is subsequently determined by the relevant authority to have been an error; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) identifies Federal agencies, other than the Department of Health and Human Services, with mandatory recall authority and examines use of that authority with regard to frequency, effectiveness, and appropriateness, including any new or existing mechanisms available to compensate persons for general and specific recall-related costs when a recall is subsequently determined by the relevant agency to have been an error; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) considers models for farmer restitution implemented in other nations in cases of erroneous recalls; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) makes recommendations to the Secretary regarding use of the authority under section 423 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by this section) to protect the public health while seeking to minimize unnecessary economic costs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EFFECT OF REVIEW- If the Comptroller General of the United States finds, after the review conducted under paragraph (1), that the mechanisms described in such paragraph (1) shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $15,000 for each violation. The Secretary shall have the authority to assess and compromise such penalties, and shall have the authority to require from any entity the records and inspections necessary to enforce this program. In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the severity of the violation and the intent of the person committing the violation shall be taken into accountdo not exist or are inadequate, then, not later than 90 days after the conclusion of such review, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study of the feasibility of implementing a farmer indemnification program to provide restitution to agricultural producers for losses sustained as a result of a mandatory recall of an agricultural commodity by a Federal or State regulatory agency that is subsequently determined to be in error. The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the study, including any recommendations. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Information to Consumers and Dealers- Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and promptly upon the update of any relevant information, the Secretary, in consultation with tAnnual Report to Congress- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Secretary’) shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the use of recall authority under section 423 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)) and any public health advisories issued by the Secretary that advise against the consumption of an article of food on the ground that the article of food is adulterated and poses an imminent danger to health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT- The report under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the report year-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the identity of each article of food that was the subject of a public health advisory described in paragraph (1), an opportunity to cease distribution and recall under subsection (a) of section 423 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or a mandatory recall order under subsection (b) of such section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the number of responsible parties, as defined in section 417 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, formally given the opportunity to cease distribution of an article of food and recall such article, as described in section 423(a) of such Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the number of responsible parties described in subparagraph (B) who did not cease distribution of or recall an article of food after given the opportunity to cease distribution or recall under section 423(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the number of recall orders issued under section 423(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) a description of any instances in which there was no testing that confirmed adulteration of an article of food that was the subject of a recall under section 423(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or a public health advisory described in paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, (referred to in this section as the ‘Administrator’), in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide support for, and technical assistance to, State, local, and tribal governments in preparing for, assessing, decontaminating, and recovering from an agriculture or food emergency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Development of Standards- In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Agriculture, and State, local, and tribal governments, shall develop and disseminate specific standards and protocols to undertake clean-up, clearance, and recovery activities following the decontamination and disposal of specific threat agents and foreign animal diseases. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Development of Model Plans- In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly develop and disseminate model plans for-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the decontamination of individuals, equipment, and facilities following an intentional contamination of agriculture or food; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the disposal of large quantities of animals, plants, or food products that have been infected or contaminated by specific threat agents and foreign animal diseases. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Exercises- In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator, in coordination with the entities described under subsection (b), shall conduct exercises at least annually to evaluate and identify weaknesses in the decontamination and disposal model plans described in subsection (c). Such exercises shall be carried out, to the maximum extent practicable, as part of the national exercise program under section 648(b)(1) of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 748(b)(1)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Modifications- Based on the exercises described in subsection (d), the Administrator, in coordination with the entities described in subsection (b), shall review and modify as necessary the plans described in subsection (c) not less frequently than biennially. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Prioritization- The Administrator, in coordination with the entities described in subsection (b), shall develop standards and plans under subsections (b) and (c) in an identified order of priority that takes into account-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) highest-risk biological, chemical, and radiological threat agents; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) agents that could cause the greatest economic devastation to the agriculture and food system; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) agents that are most difficult to clean or remediate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 405. NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary shall award grants under this section to carry out the competitive grant program established under section 1011(d) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, pursuant to any memoranda of understanding entered into under such section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Integrated Approach- The grant program described under subsection (a) shall be carried out under this section in a manner that facilitates the integration of food safety standards and guidance with the variety of agricultural production systems, encompassing conventional, sustainable, organic, and conservation and environmental practices. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Priority- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that target small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Program Coordination- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall coordinate implementation of the grant program under this section with the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) INTERACTION- The Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) in carrying out the grant program under this section, take into consideration applied research, education, and extension results obtained from the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) in determining the applied research agenda for the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative, take into consideration the needs articulated by participants in projects funded by the program under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Grants- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall make available on an Internet website and through other meancompetitive grants to support training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance projects that will help improve public health by increasing the understanding and adoption of established food safety standards, guidance, and protocols. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ENCOURAGED FEATURES- The Secretary shall encourage projects carried out using grant funds under this section to include co-management of food safety, conservation systems, and ecological health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) MAXIMUM TERM AND SIZE OF GRANT- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- A grant under this section shall have a term that is not more than 3 years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) LIMITATION ON GRANT FUNDING- The Secretary may not provide grant funding to an entity under this section after such entity has received 3 years of grant funding under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Grant Eligibility- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- To be eligible for a grant under this section, an entity shall be-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) a State cooperative extension service; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) a Federal, State, local, or tribal agency, a nonprofit community-based or non-governmental organization, or an organization representing owners and operators of farms, small food processors, or small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers that has a commitment to public health and expertise in administering programs that contribute to food safety; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) or a foundation maintained by an institution of higher education; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) a collaboration of 2 of more eligible entities described in this subsection; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) such other appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary information about the Program, including--(1) how to determine if a vehicle is an eligible trade-. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MULTISTATE PARTNERSHIPS- Grants under this section may be made for projects involving more than 1 State. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Regional Balance- In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) geographic diversity; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) diversity of types of agricultural production. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Technical Assistance- The Secretary may use funds made available under this section to provide technical assistance to grant recipients to further the purposes of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Best Practices and Model Programs- Based on evaluations of, and responses arising from, projects funded under this section, the Secretary may issue a set of recommended best practices and models for food safety training programs for agricultural producers, small food processors, and small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purposes of making grants under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 through 2015.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 1009. GRANTS TO ENHANCE FOOD SAFETY.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) undertake examinations, inspections, and investigations, and related food safety activities under section 702; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) train to the standards of the Secretary for the examination, inspection, and investigation of food manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, distribution, and importation, including as such examination, inspection, and investigation relate to retail food establishments; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) build the food safety capacity of the laboratories of such eligible entity, including the detection of zoonotic diseases; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) build the infrastructure and capacity of the food safety programs of such eligible entity to meet the standards as outlined in the grant application; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) take appropriate action to protect the public health in vehicle;

(2) how to participate in the Program, including how to determine participating dealers; and

(3) a comprehensive list, by make and model, of new fuel efficient automobiles meeting the requirements of the Program.

Once such information is available, the Secretary response to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(A) a notification under section 1008, including planning and otherwise preparing to take such action; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) a recall of food under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Eligible Entities; Application- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- In this section, the term ‘eligible entity’ means an entity-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) that is-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) a State; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a locality; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) a territory; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act); or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) a nonprofit food safety training entity that collaborates with 1 or more institutions of higher education; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) that submits an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and including such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONTENTS- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) an assurance that the eligible entity has developed plans to engage in the types of activities described in subsection (a); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) a description of the types of activities to be funded by the grant; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) an itemization of how grant funds received under this section will be expended; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) a description of how grant activities will be monitored; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) an agreement by the eligible entity to report information required by the Secretary to conduct evaluations under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Limitations- The funds provided under subsection (a) shall be available to an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section only to the extent such entity funds the food safety programs of such entity independently of any grant under this section in each year of the grant at a level equal to the level of such funding in the previous year, increased by the Consumer Price Index. Such non-Federal matching funds may be provided directly or through donations from public or private entities and may be in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Additional Authority- The Secretary may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) award a grant under this section in each subsequent fiscal year without reapplication for a period of not more than 3 years, provided the requirements of subsection (c) are met for the previous fiscal year; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) award a grant under this section in a fiscal year for which the requirement of subsection (c) has not been met only if such requirement was not met because such funding was diverted for response to 1 or more natural disasters or in other extenuating circumstances that the Secretary may determine appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Duration of Awards- The Secretary may award grants to an individual grant recipient under this section for periods of not more than 3 years. In the event the Secretary conducts a program evaluation, funding in the second year or third year of the grant, where applicable, shall be contingent on a successful program evaluation by the Secretary after the first year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Progress and Evaluation- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct a public awareness campaign to inform consumers about the Program and where to obtainmeasure the status and success of each grant program authorized under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (and any amendment made by such Act), including the grant program under this section. A recipient of a grant described in the preceding sentence shall, at the end of each grant year, provide the Secretary with information on how grant funds were spent and the status of the efforts by such recipient to enhance food safety. To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall take the performance of such a grant recipient into account when determining whether to continue funding for such recipient. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NO DUPLICATION- In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not duplicate the efforts of the Secretary under other provisions of this Act or the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act that require measurement and review of the activities of grant recipients under either such Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds received under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds and any other Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of making grants under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 through 2015.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Centers of Excellence- Part P of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 399V-5. FOOD SAFETY INTEGRATED CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.

‘(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the working group described in subsection (b)(2), shall designate 5 Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence (referred to in this section as the ‘Centers of Excellence’) to serve as resources for Federal, State, and local public health professionals to respond to foodborne illness outbreaks. The Centers of Excellence shall be headquartered at selected State health departments. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Selection of Centers of Excellence- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES- To be eligible to be designated as a Center of Excellence under subsection (a), an entity shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) be a State health department; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) partner with 1 or more institutions of higher education that have demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and meaningful experience with regional or national food production, processing, and distribution, as well as leadership in the laboratory, epidemiological, and environmental detection and investigation of foodborne illness; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) provide to the Secretary such information, at such time, and in such manner, as the Secretary may require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) WORKING GROUP- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall establish a diverse working group of experts and stakeholders from Federal, State, and local food safety and health agencies, the food industry, including food retailers and food manufacturers, consumer organizations, and academia to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding designations of the Centers of Excellence. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ADDITIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- The Secretary may designate eligible entities to be regional Food Safety Centers of Excellence, in addition to the 5 Centers designated under subsection (a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Activities- Under the leadership of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each Center of Excellence shall be based out of a selected State health department, which shall provide assistance to other regional, State, and local departments of health through activities that include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) providing resources, including timely information concerning symptoms and tests, for frontline health professionals interviewing individuals as part of routine surveillance and outbreak investigations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) providing analysis of the timeliness and effectiveness of foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak response activities; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) providing training for epidemiological and environmental investigation of foodborne illness, including suggestions for streamlining and standardizing the investigation process; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) establishing fellowships, stipends, and scholarships to train future epidemiological and food-safety leaders and to address critical workforce shortages; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) training and coordinating State and local personnel; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) strengthening capacity to participate in existing or new foodborne illness surveillance and environmental assessment information systems; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) conducting research and outreach activities focused on increasing prevention, communication, and education regarding food safety. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Report to Congress- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) describes the effectiveness of the Centers of Excellence; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) provides legislative recommendations or describes additional information.resources required by the Centers of Excellence. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) No Duplication of Effort- In carrying out activities of the Centers of Excellence or other programs under this section, the Secretary shall not duplicate other Federal foodborne illness response efforts.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- Section 417 (21 U.S.C. 350f) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as subsections (i) through (n), respectively; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Critical Information- Except with respect to fruits and vegetables that are raw agricultural commodities, not more than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary may require a responsible party to submit to the Secretary consumer-oriented information regarding a reportable food, which shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) a description of the article of food as provided in subsection (e)(3); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) as provided in subsection (e)(7), affected product identification codes, such as UPC, SKU, or lot or batch numbers sufficient for the consumer to identify the article of food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) contact information for the responsible party as provided in subsection (e)(8); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) any other information the Secretary determines is necessary to enable a consumer to accurately identify whether such consumer is in possession of the reportable food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Grocery Store Notification- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ACTION BY SECRETARY- The Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) prepare the critical information described under subsection (f) for a reportable food as a standardized one-page summary; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) publish such one-page summary on the Internet website of the Food and Drug Administration in a format that can be easily printed by a grocery store for purposes of consumer notification. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ACTION BY GROCERY STORE- A notification described under paragraph (1)(B) shall include the date and time such summary was posted on the Internet website of the Food and Drug Administration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Consumer Notification- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- If a grocery store sold a reportable food that is the subject of the posting and such establishment is part of chain of establishments with 15 or more physical locations, then such establishment shall, not later than 24 hours after a one page summary described in subsection (g)Record Keeping and Report- is published, prominently display such summary or the information from such summary via at least one of the methods identified under paragraph (2) and maintain the display for 14 days. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) LIST OF CONSPICUOUS LOCATIONS- Not more than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall develop and publish a list of acceptable conspicuous locations and manners, from which grocery stores shall select at least one, for providing the notification required in paragraph (1). Such list shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) posting the notification at or near the register; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) providing the location of the reportable food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) providing targeted recall information given to customers upon purchase of a food; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) other such prominent and conspicuous locations and manners utilized by grocery stores as of the date of the enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to provide notice of such recalls to consumers as considered appropriate by the Secretary.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibited Act- Section 301 (21 U.S.C. 331), as amended by section 206, is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(yy) The knowing and willful failure to comply with the notification requirement under section 417(h).’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Amendment- Section 301(e) (21 U.S.C. 331(e)) is amended by striking ‘417(g)’ and inserting ‘417(j)’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 805. FOREIGN SUPPLIER VERIFICATION PROGRAM.

‘(a) In General- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT- Except as provided under subsections (e) and (f), each importer shall perform risk-based foreign supplier verification activities for the purpose of verifying that the food imported by the importer or agent of an importer is-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) produced in compliance with the requirements of section 418 or section 419, as appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) is not adulterated under section 402 or misbranded under section 403(w). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) IMPORTER DEFINED- For purposes of this section, the term ‘importer’ means, with respect to an article of food-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the United States owner or consignee of the article of food at the time of entry of such article into the United States; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) in the case when there is no United States owner or consignee as described in subparagraph (A), the United States agent or representative of a foreign owner or consignee of the article of food at the time of entry of such article into the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Guidance- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance to assist importers in developing foreign supplier verification programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Regulations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to provide for the content of the foreign supplier verification program established under subsection (a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REQUIREMENTS- The regulations promulgated under paragraph (1)DATABASE- The Secretary shall maintain a database of the vehicle identification numbers of all new fuel efficient vehicles purchased or leased and all eligible trade--- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall require that the foreign supplier verification program of each importer be adequate to provide assurances that each foreign supplier to the importer produces the imported food in compliance with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) processes and procedures, including reasonably appropriate risk-based preventive controls, that provide the same level of public health protection as those required under section 418 or section 419 (taking into consideration variances granted under section 419), as appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) section 402 and section 403(w). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) shall include such other requirements as the Secretary deems necessary and appropriate to verify that food imported into the United States is as safe as food produced and sold within the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CONSIDERATIONS- In promulgating regulations under this subsection, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, take into account differences among importers and types of imported foods, including based on the level of risk posed by the imported food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ACTIVITIES- Verification activities under a foreign supplier verification program under this section may include monitoring records for shipments, lot-by-lot certification of compliance, annual on-site inspections, checking the hazard analysis and risk-based preventive control plan of the foreign supplier, and periodically testing and sampling shipments. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Record Maintenance and Access- Records of an importer related to a foreign supplier verification program shall be maintained for a period of not less than 2 years and shall be made available promptly to a duly authorized representative of the Secretary upon request. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Exemption of Seafood, Juice, and Low-acid Canned Food Facilities in Compliance With HACCP- This section shall not apply to a facility if the owner, operator, or agent in charge of such facility is required to comply with, and is in compliance with, 1 of the following standards and regulations with respect to such facility: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program of the Food and Drug Administration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The Juice Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program of the Food and Drug Administration. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers standards of the Food and Drug Administration (or any successor standards). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The exemption under paragraph (3) shall apply only with respect to microbiological hazards that are regulated under the standards for Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers under part 113 of chapter 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Additional Exemptions- The Secretary, by notice published in the Federal Register, shall establish an exemption from the requirements of this section for articles of food imported in small quantities for research and evaluation purposes or for personal consumption, provided that such foods are not intended for retail sale and are not sold or distributed to the public. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Publication of List of Participants- The Secretary shall publish and maintain on the Internet Web site of the Food and Drug Administration a current list that includes the name of, location of, and other information deemed necessary by the Secretary about, importers participating under this section.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibited Act- Section 301 (21 U.S.C. 331), as amended by section 211, is amended by adding at the end the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(zz) The importation or offering for importation of a food if the importer (as defined in section 805) does not have in place a foreign supplier verification program in compliance with such section 805.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Imports- Section 801(a) (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) is amended by adding ‘or the importer (as defined in section 805) is in violation of such section 805’ after ‘or in violation of section 505’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall take effect 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- Section 801(a) (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) is amended by inserting after the third sentence the following: ‘With respect to an article of food, if importation of such food is subject to, but not compliant with, the requirement under subsection (q) that such food be accompanied by a certification or other assurance that the food meets applicable requirements of this Act, then such article shall be refused admission.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Addition of Certification Requirement- Section 801 (21 U.S.C. 381) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(q) Certifications Concerning Imported Foods- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may require, as a condition of granting admission to an article of food imported or offered for import into the United States, that an entity described in paragraph (3) provide a certification, or such other assurances as the Secretary determines appropriate, that the article of food complies with applicable requirements of this Act. Such certification or assurances may be provided in the form of shipment-specific certificates, a listing of certified facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold such food, or in such other form as the Secretary may specify. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN REQUIRING CERTIFICATION- The Secretary shall base the determination that an article of food is required to have a certification described in paragraph (1) on the risk of the food, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) known safety risks associated with the food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) known food safety risks associated with the country, territory, or region of origin of the food; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) a finding by the Secretary, supported by scientific, risk-based evidence, that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the food safety programs, systems, and standards in the country, territory, or region of origin of the food are inadequate to ensure that the article of food is as safe as a similar article of food that is manufactured, processed, packed, or held in the United States in vehicles disposed of under the Program.(2) REPORT ON THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM- Not later than 60 days after the termination date described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii), the Secretaryaccordance with the requirements of this Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the certification would assist the Secretary in determining whether to refuse or admit the article of food under subsection (a); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) information submitted to the Secretary in accordance with the process established in paragraph (7). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) CERTIFYING ENTITIES- For purposes of paragraph (1), entities that shall provide the certification or assurances described in such paragraph are-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) an agency or a representative of the government of the country from which the article of food at issue originated, as designated by the Secretary; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) such other persons or entities accredited pursuant to section 808 to provide such certification or assurance. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) RENEWAL AND REFUSAL OF CERTIFICATIONS- The Secretary may-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) require that any certification or other assurance provided by an entity specified in paragraph (2) be renewed by such entity at such times as the Secretary determines appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) refuse to accept any certification or assurance if the Secretary determines that such certification or assurance is not valid or reliable. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION- The Secretary shall provide for the electronic submission of certifications under this subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) FALSE STATEMENTS- Any statement or representation made by an entity described in paragraph (2) to the Secretary shall be subject tosection 1001 of title 18, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMS, SYSTEMS, AND STANDARDS- If the Secretary determines that the food safety programs, systems, and standards in a foreign region, country, or territory are inadequate to ensure that an article of food is as safe as a similar article of food that is manufactured, processed, packed, or held in the United States in accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, identify such inadequacies and establish a process by which the foreign region, country, or territory may inform the Secretary of improvements made to such food safety program, system, or standard and demonstrate that those controls are adequate to ensure that an article of food is as safe as a similar article of food that is manufactured, processed, packed, or held in the United States in accordance with the requirements of this Act.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Technical Amendment- Section 801(b) (21 U.S.C. 381(b)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ‘with respect to an article included within the provision of the fourth sentence of subsection (a)’ and inserting ‘with respect to an article described in subsection (a) relating to the requirements of sections 760 or 761,’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) No Limit on Authority- Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall limit the authority of the Secretary to conduct inspections of imported food or to take such other steps as the Secretary deems appropriate to determine the admissibility of imported food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- Section 801(m)(1) (21 U.S.C. 381(m)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘any country to which the article has been refused entry;’ after ‘the country from which the article is shipped;’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Regulations- Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue an interim final rule amending subpart I of part 1 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, to implement the amendment made by this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee ontake effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- The Secretary shall, not later than 2 years of the date of enactment of this Act, develop a comprehensive plan to expand the technical, scientific, and regulatory food safety capacity of foreign governments, and their respective food industries, from which foods are exported to the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Consultation- In developing the plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, and the Secretary of Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the efficacy of the Program, including--

(A) a description of program results, including--

(i) the total number and amount of vouchers issued for purchase or lease of new fuel efficient automobiles by manufacturer (including aggregate information concerning the make, model,representatives of the food industry, appropriate foreign government officials, nongovernmental organizations that represent the interests of consumers, and other stakeholders. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(c) Plan- The plan developed under subsection (a) shall include, as appropriate, the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Recommendations for bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements, including provisions to provide for responsibility of exporting countries to ensure the safety of food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Provisions for secure electronic data sharing. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Provisions for mutual recognition of inspection reports. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Training of foreign governments and food producers on United States requirements for safe food. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Recommendations on whether and how to harmonize requirements under the Codex Alimentarius. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Provisions for the multilateral acceptance of laboratory methods and testing and detection techniques. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the regulation of dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-417). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 808. ACCREDITATION OF THIRD-PARTY AUDITORS.

‘(a) Definitions- In this section: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AUDIT AGENT- The term ‘audit agent’ means an individual who is an employee or agent of an accredited third-party auditor and, although not individually accredited, is qualified to conduct food safety audits on behalf of an accredited third-party auditor. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ACCREDITATION BODY- The term ‘accreditation body’ means an authority that performs accreditation of third-party auditors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) THIRD-PARTY AUDITOR- The term ‘third-party auditor’ means a foreign government, agency of a foreign government, foreign cooperative, or any other third party, as the Secretary determines appropriate in accordance with the model standards described in subsection (b)(2), that is eligible to be considered for accreditation to conduct food safety audits to certify that eligible entities meet the applicable requirements of this section. A third-party auditor may be a single individual. A third-party auditor may employ or use audit agents to help conduct consultative and regulatory audits. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ACCREDITED THIRD-PARTY AUDITOR- The term ‘accredited third-party auditor’ means a third-party auditor accredited by an accreditation body to conduct audits of eligible entities to certify that such eligible entities meet the applicable requirements of this section. An accredited third-party auditor may be an individual who conducts food safety audits to certify that eligible entities meet the applicable requirements of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) CONSULTATIVE AUDIT- The term ‘consultative audit’ means an audit of an eligible entity-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to determine whether such entity is in compliance with the provisions of this Act and with applicable industry standards and practices; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the results of which are for internal purposes only. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The term ‘eligible entity’ means a foreign entity, including a foreign facility registered under section 415, in the food import supply chain that chooses to be audited by an accredited third-party auditor or the audit agent of such accredited third-party auditor. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) REGULATORY AUDIT- The term ‘regulatory audit’ means an audit of an eligible entity-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to determine whether such entity is in compliance with the provisions of this Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the results of which determine-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) whether an article of food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by such entity is eligible to receive a food certification under section 801(q); or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) whether a facility is eligible to receive a facility certification under section 806(a) for purposes of participating in the program under section 806. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Accreditation System- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ACCREDITATION BODIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITATION BODIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall establish a system for the recognition of accreditation bodies that accredit third-party auditors to certify that eligible entities meet the applicable requirements of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) DIRECT ACCREDITATION- If, by the date that is 2 years after the date of establishment of the system described in clause (i), the Secretary has not identified and recognized an accreditation body to meet the requirements of this section, the Secretary may directly accredit third-party auditors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NOTIFICATION- Each accreditation body recognized by the Secretary shall submit to the Secretary a list of all accredited third-party auditors accredited by such body and the audit agents of such auditors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) REVOCATION OF RECOGNITION AS AN ACCREDITATION BODY- The Secretary shall promptly revoke the recognition of any accreditation body found not to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) REINSTATEMENT- The Secretary shall establish procedures to reinstate recognition of an accreditation body if the Secretary determines, based on evidence presented by such accreditation body, that revocation was inappropriate or that the body meets the requirements for recognition under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MODEL ACCREDITATION STANDARDS- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Secretary shall develop model year) and category of automobile;(ii) aggregate information regarding the make, model,standards, including requirements for regulatory audit reports, and each recognized accreditation body shall ensure that third-party auditors and audit agents of such auditors meet such standards in order to qualify such third-party auditors as accredited third-party auditors under this section. In developing the model year, and manufacturing location of vehicles traded in under the Program; and

(iii) the location of sale or lease;

(B) an estimate of the overall increase in fuel efficiency in terms of miles per gallon, total annual oil savings, and total annual greenhouse gas reductions, as a result of the Program; and

(C) an estimate of the overall economic and employment effects of the Program.

(h) Treatment of Payment-

(1)standards, the Secretary shall look to standards in place on the date of the enactment of this section for guidance, to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and costs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(c) Third-party Auditors- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS- A voucher under this Act or any payment made for such a voucher pursuant to ACCREDITATION AS A THIRD-PARTY AUDITOR- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS- Prior to accrediting a foreign government or an agency of a foreign government as an accredited third-party auditor, the accreditation body (or, in the case of direct accreditation under subsection (a)(3) shall not be considered income and shall not be considered as a resource for the month of receipt and the following 12 months, for purposes of determining the eligibility of the recipient (or the recipient’s spouse or b)(1)(A)(ii), the Secretary) shall perform such reviews and audits of food safety programs, systems, and standards of the government or agency of the government as the Secretary deems necessary, including requirements under the model standards developed under subsection (b)(2), to determine that the foreign government or agency of the foreign government is capable of adequately ensuring that eligible entities or foods certified by such government or agency meet the requirements of this Act with respect to food manufactured, processed, packed, or held for import into the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) FOREIGN COOPERATIVES AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES- Prior to accrediting a foreign cooperative that aggregates the products of growers or processors, or any other third party to be an accredited third-party auditor, the accreditation body (or, in the case of direct accreditation under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), the Secretary) shall perform such reviews and audits of the training and qualifications of audit agents used by that cooperative or party and conduct such reviews of internal systems and such other investigation of the cooperative or party as the Secretary deems necessary, including requirements under the model standards developed under subsection (b)(2), to determine that each eligible entity certified by the cooperative or party has systems and standards in use to ensure that such entity or food meets the requirements of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REQUIREMENT TO ISSUE CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES OR FOODS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- An accreditation body (or, in the case of direct accreditation under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), the Secretary) may not accredit a third-party auditor unless such third-party auditor agrees to issue a written and, as appropriate, electronic food certification, described in section 801(q), or facility certification under section 806(a), as appropriate, to accompany each food shipment for import into the United States from an eligible entity, subject to requirements set forth by the Secretary. Such written or electronic certification may be included with other documentation regarding such food shipment. The Secretary shall consider certifications under section 801(q) and participation in the voluntary qualified importer program described in section 806 when targeting inspection resources under section 421. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION- The Secretary shall use certification provided by accredited third-party auditors to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) determine, in conjunction with any other assurances the Secretary may require under section 801(q), whether a food satisfies the requirements of such section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) determine whether a facility is eligible to be a facility from which food may be offered for import under the voluntary qualified importer program under section 806. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- An accredited third-party auditor shall issue a food certification under section 801(q) or a facility certification described under subparagraph (B) only after conducting a regulatory audit and such other activities that may be necessary to establish compliance with the requirements of such sections. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) PROVISION OF CERTIFICATION- Only an accredited third-party auditor or the Secretary may provide a facility certification under section 806(a). Only those parties described in 801(q)(3) or the Secretary may provide a food certification under 301(g). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AUDIT REPORT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) REQUIREMENTS IN GENERAL- As a condition of accreditation, not later than 45 days after conducting an audit, an accredited third-party auditor or audit agent of such auditor shall prepare, and, in the case of a regulatory audit, submit, the audit report for each audit conducted, in a form and manner designated by the Secretary, which shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the identity of the persons at the audited eligible entity responsible for compliance with food safety requirements; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the dates of the audit; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the scope of the audit; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) any other information required by the Secretary that relates to or may influence an assessment of compliance with this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) RECORDS- Following any accreditation of a third-party auditor, the Secretary may, at any time, require the accredited third-party auditor to submit to the Secretary an onsite audit report and such other family or household members) for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under any Federal or State program.(2)reports or documents required as part of the audit process, for any eligible entity certified by the third-party auditor or audit agent of such auditor. Such report may include documentation that the eligible entity is in compliance with any applicable registration requirements. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) LIMITATION- The requirement under subparagraph (B) shall not include any report or other documents resulting from a consultative audit by the accredited third-party auditor, except that the Secretary may access the results of a consultative audit in accordance with section 414. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) REQUIREMENTS OF ACCREDITED THIRD-PARTY AUDITORS AND AUDIT AGENTS OF SUCH AUDITORS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) RISKS TO PUBLIC HEALTH- If, at any time during an audit, an accredited third-party auditor or audit agent of such auditor discovers a condition that could cause or contribute to a serious risk to the public health, such auditor shall immediately notify the Secretary of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the identification of the eligible entity subject to the audit; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) such condition. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) TYPES OF AUDITS- An accredited third-party auditor or audit agent of such auditor may perform consultative and regulatory audits of eligible entities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) LIMITATIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- An accredited third party auditor may not perform a regulatory audit of an eligible entity if such agent has performed a consultative audit or a regulatory audit of such eligible entity during the previous 13-month period. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive the application of clause (i) if the Secretary determines that there is insufficient access to accredited third-party auditors in a country or region. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) THIRD-PARTY AUDITORS- An accredited third-party auditor shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not be owned, managed, or controlled by any person that owns or operates an eligible entity to be certified by such auditor; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) in carrying out audits of eligible entities under this section, have procedures to ensure against the use of any officer or employee of such auditor that has a financial conflict of interest regarding an eligible entity to be certified by such auditor; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) annually make available to the Secretary disclosures of the extent to which such auditor and the officers and employees of such auditor have maintained compliance with clauses (i) and (ii) relating to financial conflicts of interest. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AUDIT AGENTS- An audit agent shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not own or operate an eligible entity to be audited by such agent; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) in carrying out audits of eligible entities under this section, have procedures to ensure that such agent does not have a financial conflict of interest regarding an eligible entity to be audited by such agent; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) annually make available to the Secretary disclosures of the extent to which such agent has maintained compliance with clauses (i) and (ii) relating to financial conflicts of interest. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall promulgate regulations not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to implement this section and to ensure that there are protections against conflicts of interest between an accredited third-party auditor and the eligible entity to be certified by such auditor or audited by such audit agent. Such regulations shall include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) requiring that audits performed under this section be unannounced; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a structure to decrease the potential for conflicts of interest, including timing and public disclosure, for fees paid by eligible entities to accredited third-party auditors; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) appropriate limits on financial affiliations between an accredited third-party auditor or audit agents of such auditor and any person that owns or operates an eligible entity to be certified by such auditor, as described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) WITHDRAWAL OF ACCREDITATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall withdraw accreditation from an accredited third-party auditor-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) if food certified under section 801(q) or from a facility certified under paragraph (2)(B) by such third-party auditor is linked to an outbreak of foodborne illness that has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death in humans or animals; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) following an evaluation and finding by the Secretary that the third-party auditor no longer meets the requirements for accreditation; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) following a refusal to allow United States officials to conduct such audits and investigations as may be necessary to ensure continued compliance with the requirements set forth in this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ADDITIONAL BASIS FOR PURPOSES OF TAXATION- A voucher under this Act, or any payment made for such a voucher pursuant to WITHDRAWAL OF ACCREDITATION- The Secretary may withdraw accreditation from an accredited third-party auditor in the case that such third-party auditor is accredited by an accreditation body for which recognition as an accreditation body under subsection (b)(1)(C) is revoked, if the Secretary determines that there is good cause for the withdrawal. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) EXCEPTION- The Secretary may waive the application of subparagraph (A)(i) if the Secretary-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) conducts an investigation of the material facts related to the outbreak of human or animal illness; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) reviews the steps or actions taken by the third party auditor to justify the certification and determines that the accredited third-party auditor satisfied the requirements under section 801(q) of certifying the food, or the requirements under paragraph (2)(B) of certifying the entity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) REACCREDITATION- The Secretary shall establish procedures to reinstate the accreditation of a third-party auditor for which accreditation has been withdrawn under paragraph (6)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) if the Secretary determines, based on evidence presented, that the third-party auditor satisfies the requirements of this section and adequate grounds for revocation no longer exist; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) in the case of a third-party auditor accredited by an accreditation body for which recognition as an accreditation body under subsection (b)(1)(C) is revoked-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) if the third-party auditor becomes accredited not later than 1 year after revocation of accreditation under paragraph (6)(A), through direct accreditation under subsection (a)(3), shall not be considered as gross income of the purchaser of a vehicle under this Act for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(i) Definitions- As used in this Act--

(1) the term ‘passenger automobile’ means a passenger automobile, as defined in section 32901(a)(18)b)(1)(A)(ii) or by an accreditation body in good standing; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(ii) under such conditions as the Secretary may require for a third-party auditor under paragraph (6)(B). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) NEUTRALIZING COSTS- The Secretary shall establish by regulation a reimbursement (user fee) program, similar to the method described in section 203(h) of the Agriculture Marketing Act of 1946, by which the Secretary assesses fees and requires accredited third-party auditors and audit agents to reimburse the Food and Drug Administration for the work performed to establish and administer the accreditation system under this section. The Secretary shall make operating this program revenue-neutral and shall not generate surplus revenue from such a reimbursement mechanism. Fees authorized under this paragraph shall be collected and available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Such fees are authorized to remain available until expended. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Recertification of Eligible Entities- An eligible entity shall apply for annual recertification by an accredited third-party auditor if such entity-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) intends to participate in voluntary qualified importer program under section 806; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) is required to provide to the Secretary a certification under section 801(q) for any food from such entity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) False Statements- Any statement or representation made-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) by an employee or agent of an eligible entity to an accredited third-party auditor or audit agent; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) by an accredited third-party auditor to the Secretary, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





shall be subject to section 1001 of title 49, United States Code, that has a combined fuel economy value of18, United States Code . CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Monitoring- To ensure compliance with the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) periodically, or at least 22 miles per gallon;(2) the term ‘category 1 truck’ means a non-passenger automobile, as defined in section 32901(a)(17) of title 49, United States Code, that has a combined fuel economy value ofonce every 4 years, reevaluate the accreditation bodies described in subsection (b)(1); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) periodically, or at least 18 miles per gallon, except that such term does not include a category 2 truck;

(3) the term ‘category 2 truck’ means a large van or a large pickup, as categorized by the Secretary using the method used by the Environmental Protection Agency and described in the report entitled ‘Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2008’;

(4) the term ‘category 3 truck’ means a work truck, as defined in once every 4 years, evaluate the performance of each accredited third-party auditor, through the review of regulatory audit reports by such auditors, the compliance history as available of eligible entities certified by such auditors, and any other measures deemed necessary by the Secretary; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(3) at any time, conduct an onsite audit of any eligible entity certified by an accredited third-party auditor, with or without the auditor present; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) take any other measures deemed necessary by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Publicly Available Registry- The Secretary shall establish a publicly available registry of accreditation bodies and of accredited third-party auditors, including the name of, contact information for, and other information deemed necessary by the Secretary about such bodies and auditors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Limitations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) NO EFFECT ON SECTION 704 INSPECTIONS- The audits performed under this section shall not be considered inspections under section 704. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NO EFFECT ON INSPECTION AUTHORITY- Nothing in this section 32901(a)(19) of title 49, United States Code;

(5) the term ‘combined fuel economy value’ means--

(A) with respect to a new fuel efficient automobile, the number, expressed in miles per gallon, centered below the words ‘Combined Fuel Economy’ on the label required to be affixed oraffects the authority of the Secretary to inspect any eligible entity pursuant to this Act.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 1012. EMPLOYEE PROTECTIONS.

‘(a) In General- No entity engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding, or importation of food may discharge an employee or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee, whether at the employee’s initiative or in the ordinary course of the employee’s duties (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the employee)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) provided, caused to be affixed on a new automobile pursuant to subpart D of part 600 of title 40 Code of Federal Regulations;(B) with respect to an eligible trade-in vehicle, the equivalent of the number described in subparagraph (A), and posted under the words ‘Estimated New EPA MPG’ and above the word ‘Combined’ for vehicles of model year 1985 provided, or is about to provide or cause to be provided to the employer, the Federal Government, or the attorney general of a State information relating to any violation of, or any act or omission the employee reasonably believes to be a violation of any provision of this Act or any order, rule, regulation, standard, or ban under this Act, or any order, rule, regulation, standard, or ban under this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) testified or is about to testify in a proceeding concerning such violation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) assisted or participated or is about to assist or participate in such a proceeding; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) objected to, or refused to participate in, any activity, policy, practice, or assigned task that the employee (or other such person) reasonably believed to be in violation of any provision of this Act, or any order, rule, regulation, standard, or ban under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Process- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) alleging such discharge or discrimination and identifying the person responsible for such act. Upon receipt of such a complaint, the Secretary shall notify, in writing, the person named in the complaint of the filing of the complaint, of the allegations contained in the complaint, of the substance of evidence supporting the complaint, and of the opportunities that will be afforded to such person under paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) INVESTIGATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 60 days after the date of receipt of a complaint filed under paragraph (1) and after affording the complainant and the person named in the complaint an opportunity to submit to the Secretary a written response to the complaint and an opportunity to meet with a representative of the Secretary to present statements from witnesses, the Secretary shall initiate an investigation and determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the complaint has merit and notify, in writing, the complainant and the person alleged to have committed a violation of subsection (a) of the Secretary’s findings. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) REASONABLE CAUSE FOUND; PRELIMINARY ORDER- If the Secretary concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred, the Secretary shall accompany the Secretary’s findings with a preliminary order providing the relief prescribed by paragraph (3)(B). Not later than 30 days after the date of notification of findings under this paragraph, the person alleged to have committed the violation or the complainant may file objections to the findings or preliminary order, or both, and request a hearing on the record. The filing of such objections shall not operate to stay any reinstatement remedy contained in the preliminary order. Any such hearing shall be conducted expeditiously. If a hearing is not requested in such 30-day period, the preliminary order shall be deemed a final order that is not subject to judicial review. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) DISMISSAL OF COMPLAINT- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) STANDARD FOR COMPLAINANT- The Secretary shall dismiss a complaint filed under this subsection and shall not conduct an investigation otherwise required under subparagraph (A) unless the complainant makes a prima facie showing that any behavior described in paragraphs (1) through 2007, or posted under the words ‘New EPA MPG’ and above the word ‘Combined’ for vehicles of model year 2008 or later on the fueleconomy.gov website of the Environmental Protection Agency for the make, model, and year of such vehicle; or(C) with respect to an eligible trade-in vehicle manufactured between model years 1978 (4) of subsection (a) was a contributing factor in the unfavorable personnel action alleged in the complaint. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) STANDARD FOR EMPLOYER- Notwithstanding a finding by the Secretary that the complainant has made the showing required under clause (i), no investigation otherwise required under subparagraph (A) shall be conducted if the employer demonstrates, by clear and convincing evidence, that the employer would have taken the same unfavorable personnel action in the absence of that behavior. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) VIOLATION STANDARD- The Secretary may determine that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred only if the complainant demonstrates that any behavior described in paragraphs (1) through 1984, the equivalent of the number described in subparagraph (A) as determined by the Secretary (and posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) using data maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency for the make, model, and year of such vehicle;

(6) the term ‘dealer’ means a person licensed by a State who engages in the sale of new automobiles to ultimate purchasers;

(7) the term ‘eligible trade-in vehicle’ means an automobile or a work truck (as such terms are defined in section 32901(a) of title 49, United States Code) that, at the(4) of subsection (a) was a contributing factor in the unfavorable personnel action alleged in the complaint. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(iv) RELIEF STANDARD- Relief may not be ordered under subparagraph (A) if the employer demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the employer would have taken the same unfavorable personnel action in the absence of that behavior. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) FINAL ORDER- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 120 days after the date of conclusion of any hearing under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall issue a final order providing the relief prescribed by this paragraph or denying the complaint. At any time it is presented for trade-in under this Act--

(A) is in drivable condition;

(B) before issuance of a final order, a proceeding under this subsection may be terminated on the basis of a settlement agreement entered into by the Secretary, the complainant, and the person alleged to have committed the violation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(B) CONTENT OF ORDER- If, in response to a complaint filed under paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that a violation of subsection (a) has been continuously insured consistent with the applicable State law and registered tooccurred, the Secretary shall order the person who committed such violation-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) to take affirmative action to abate the violation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) to reinstate the complainant to his or her former position together with compensation (including back pay) and restore the terms, conditions, and privileges associated with his or her employment; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) to provide compensatory damages to the complainant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) PENALTY- If such an order is issued under this paragraph, the Secretary, at the request of the complainant, shall assess against the person against whom the order is issued a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred, as determined by the Secretary, by the complainant for, or in connection with, the bringing of the complaint upon which the order was issued. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) BAD FAITH CLAIM- If the Secretary finds that a complaint under paragraph (1) is frivolous or has been brought in bad faith, the Secretary may award to the prevailing employer a reasonable attorneys’ fee, not exceeding $1,000, to be paid by the complainant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ACTION IN COURT- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint, or within 90 days after receiving a written determination, the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States with jurisdiction, which shall have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the amount in controversy, and which action shall, at the request of either party to such action, be tried by the court with a jury. The proceedings shall be governed by the same owner for a period of not less than 1 year immediately prior to such trade-in;

(C) was manufactured in model year 1984 or later; and

(D) in the case of an automobile, has a combined fuel economy value of 18 miles per gallon or less;

(8) the term ‘new fuel efficient automobile’ means an automobile described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4)--

(A) the equitable or legal title of which has not been transferred to any person other than the ultimate purchaser;

(B) that carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $45,000 or less;

(C) that--

(i) in the case of passenger automobiles, category 1 trucks, or category 2 trucks, is certified to applicable standards under section 86.1811-04burdens of proof specified in paragraph (2)(C). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(B) RELIEF- The court shall have jurisdiction to grant all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including injunctive relief and compensatory damages, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the employee would have had, but for the discharge or discrimination; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the amount of back pay, with interest; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discharge or discrimination, including litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney’s fees. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) REVIEW- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Unless the complainant brings an action under paragraph (4), any person adversely affected or aggrieved by a final order issued under paragraph (3) may obtain review of the order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the violation, with respect to which the order was issued, allegedly occurred or the circuit in which the complainant resided on the date of such violation. The petition for review must be filed not later than 60 days after the date of the issuance of the final order of the Secretary. Review shall conform to chapter 7 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; or(ii) in the case of category 3 trucks, is certified to the applicable vehicle or engine standards under section 86.1816-08, 86-007-11, or 86.008-105, United States Code. The commencement of proceedings under this subparagraph shall not, unless ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NO JUDICIAL REVIEW- An order of the Secretary with respect to which review could have been obtained under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to judicial review in any criminal or other civil proceeding. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER- Whenever any person has failed to comply with an order issued under paragraph (3), the Secretary may file a civil action in the United States district court for the district in which the violation was found to occur, or in the United States district court for the District of Columbia, to enforce such order. In actions brought under this paragraph, the district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief including, but not limited to, injunctive relief and compensatory damages. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) CIVIL ACTION TO REQUIRE COMPLIANCE- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- A person on whose behalf an order was issued under paragraph (3) may commence a civil action against the person to whom such order was issued to require compliance with such order. The appropriate United States district court shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties, to enforce such order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AWARD- The court, in issuing any final order under this paragraph, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees) to any party whenever the court determines such award is appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Effect of Section- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) OTHER LAWS- Nothing in this section preempts or diminishes any other safeguards against discrimination, demotion, discharge, suspension, threats, harassment, reprimand, retaliation, or any other manner of discrimination provided by Federal or State law. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES- Nothing in this section shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee under any Federal or State law or under any collective bargaining agreement. The rights and remedies in this section may not be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of employment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Enforcement- Any nondiscretionary duty imposed by this section shall be enforceable in a mandamus proceeding brought under section 1361 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

(D) that has the combined fuel economy value of at least--

(i) 22 miles per gallon for a passenger automobile;

(ii) 18 miles per gallon for a category 1 truck; or

(iii) 15 miles per gallon for a category 2 truck;

(9) the term ‘Program’ means the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program established by this Act;

(10) the term ‘qualifying lease’ means a lease of an automobile for a period of not less than 5 years;

(11) the term ‘scrappage value’ means the amount received by the dealer for a vehicle upon transferring title of such vehicle to the person responsible for ensuring the dismantling and destroying the vehicle;

(12) the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Transportation28, United States Code . CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




‘(e) Limitation- Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to an employee of an entity engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding, or importation of food who, acting through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;

(13) the term ‘ultimate purchaser’ means, with respect to any new automobile, the first person who in good faith purchases such automobile for purposes other than resale;

(14) the term ‘voucher’ means an electronic transfer of funds to a dealer based on an eligible transaction under this program; and

(15) the term ‘vehicle identification number’ means the 17-character number used by the automobile industry to identify individual automobiles.

(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation $4,000,000,000 to carry out this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives June 9, 2009.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.

Calendar No. 74

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2751

AN ACT

To accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles.

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June 11, 2009

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

without direction from such entity (or such entity’s agent), deliberately causes a violation of any requirement relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, rule, regulation, standard, or ban under this Act.’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink