Considering all the recent reports on food safety -- from peanut butter to spinach -- it was only a matter of time before Congress stepped in to modernize the troubled system currently in place.

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee took the first step, convening a panel to deliberate a draft version of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 that would significantly strengthen the authority of the FDA. Among the changes:

* Empowering laboratories to report the detection of food-borne pathogens directly to the government, side-stepping food manufacturers.

* Assessing an annual $1,000 fee to food facilities to pay for the agency's increased oversight.

* Strengthening the agency's ability to isolate or quarantine products or foods considered unsafe from entering geographic areas.

* Improving safety requirements for baby formulas.

One measure not under consideration by legislators, but being discussed by a White House working group: Forming a single agency to merge all food safety functions under one roof.

Washington Post May 28, 2009

Government Executive.com June 3, 2009