Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023

Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023

This bill provides that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may, under specified circumstances, request access to a concentrated animal-feeding operation (i.e., a stabled or confined animal-feeding operation) to conduct microbial sampling.

Specifically, the bill allows the FDA to request access if the FDA determines that sampling is necessary to facilitate an investigation of a foodborne-illness outbreak, determine the cause of the outbreak, or address other public health needs.

The bill provides that such an operation shall be subject to penalties for refusing such a sampling.

Bill 118 HR 4110, also known as the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in investigating foodborne illness outbreaks. The bill proposes to allocate additional funding to these agencies to improve their ability to trace and respond to outbreaks more effectively.

Specifically, the bill calls for the establishment of a rapid response team within the FDA and CDC to coordinate investigations and responses to foodborne illness outbreaks. This team would be responsible for conducting thorough investigations, identifying the source of contamination, and implementing measures to prevent further spread of the illness.

Additionally, the bill seeks to improve communication and coordination between federal, state, and local agencies involved in food safety investigations. It proposes the development of a national database to track and share information on foodborne illness outbreaks, as well as the implementation of standardized protocols for conducting investigations. Overall, the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023 aims to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks, ultimately protecting the health and safety of the American public.