News and Articles

Do synthetic food colors cause hyperactivity? LA Times January 1, 2011
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has scheduled a March hearing on whether food dyes adversely impact children's health.
President to Sign Food Safety Bill in Early 2011 Food Safety News December 23, 2010
The bill will likely be signed into law when the President returns in early 2011 from a holiday vacation with his family in Hawaii.
The Food Safety Bill Finally Passes, But It's Just the First Step Time December 22, 2010
The landmark Food Safety and Modernization Act is now poised to become law, pending President Obama's signature.
House Passes Overhaul of Food Laws New York Times Dec 21, 2010
The House of Representatives gave final approval on Tuesday to a long-awaited modernization of the nation’s food safety laws, voting 215 to 144 to grant the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over food production.
In Sunday-evening surprise, Senate passes food-safety legislation The Hill Dec 19, 2010
The Senate unexpectedly approved food-safety legislation by voice vote Sunday evening, rescuing a bill that floated in limbo for weeks because of a clerical error.
Report: About 17% in U.S. get sick from food each year Washington Post December 16, 2010
The numbers mark the first time since 1999 that the federal government has updated the estimates for food-borne illnesses.
Consumers Union Urges New Cautions for Tuna Food Safety News December 13, 2010
Although federal guidelines suggest younger women and children may safely eat up to 12 ounces of canned light tuna and up to 6 ounces of white tuna a week, Consumers Union is recommending a more cautious approach.
House Advances Food Safety Bill Food Safety News December 9, 2010
Food safety legislation inched forward Wednesday as the House passed the Senate version of the bill as part of a larger resolution to fund the federal government for the next several months.
House to take up food-safety bill this week The Hill December 7, 2010
The House this week will consider legislation to modernize the nation's food-safety protections, a top Democrat indicated Tuesday.
Opinion: GOP Objections to the Food Safety Bill Are Hard to Swallow AOL News December 7, 2010
This weekend Senate and House leaders promised to negotiate a way to restore the coalition that passed it. They should. The bill is imperfect but good.
For food-safety overhaul, lobbyists rushed to the table Washington Post December 6, 2010
The overhaul of food safety laws recently passed by the Senate had the support of business interests, consumer groups and lawmakers from both parties, but the bipartisan legislation still generated plenty of work along the K Street corridor
Food Safety Bill Hits Trouble USA Today December 3, 2010
Senate and House leaders expect to spend the weekend looking for a way around a technical snafu that could scuttle a broadly-supported food safety bill.
What the Food Safety Bill Could Mean for You and Your Broccoli Atlantic Wire December 1, 2010
Foodies, envirobloggers, and irritated conservatives have laid out the pros and cons of the bill in detail. If it goes through as is, here's what you have to look forward to.
Oregon boy sickened by tainted peanut butter crackers plays key role in passage of new food safety law Oregon Live December 1, 2010
"He had a substantial impact," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., who played a key role in the bill. "He put a face on the need to restructure our food safety system."
Senate Passes Overhaul of Food Safety Regulations New York Times November 30, 2010
The Senate on Tuesday passed a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s food-safety system, after recalls of tainted eggs, peanut butter and spinach sickened thousands and led major food makers to join consumer advocates in demanding stronger government oversight.
Op-ed: A Stale Food Fight New York Times November 29, 2010
Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser team up for this op-ed to talk about why the food safety bill is "the best opportunity in a generation to improve the safety of the American food supply."
Food safety bill 101: What are the facts and myths? Christian Science Monitor November 24, 2010
What is SB 510, and what does it aim to do? Are the fears hysterical or well founded? This separates the wheat from the chaff.
Editorial: On Turkey Day, pass the gravy but hold the bacteria USA Today November 23, 2010
When you sit down with friends and family on Thursday for a Thanksgiving feast, you shouldn't have to worry about uninvited guests such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Politics, Small Farm Deal Stall Food Safety BillFood Safety News November 19, 2010
After a long day of debating--and waiting--Thursday, the Senate was at impasse over the details and politics surrounding the food safety bill.
Food safety bill clears key hurdle in Senate Reuters November 17, 2010
The U.S. food supply moved a step closer toward its first major safety overhaul in more than 70 years following a key vote in Congress on Wednesday.
Editorial: Two Easy Moves for the Lame Duck New York Times November 16, 2010
The Senate needs to approve a House food safety bill that would significantly strengthen the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to combat food-borne illnesses.
Could Food Safety Bill Clear Senate By Weekend?Food Safety News November 15, 2010
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, S. 510, will be brought to the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday for a procedural vote and party leaders expect it to pass.
Long wait for food safety bill may be over The Hill November 14, 2010
Almost a year to the day after a unanimous committee vote, a long-stalled bill to promote food safety is poised for Senate passage within a week.
Chemicals in Fast Food Wrappers Show Up in Human Blood Environment News Service November 8, 2010
Chemicals used to keep grease from leaking through fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags are migrating into food, being ingested by people and showing up as contaminants in blood.
Eggs recalled after salmonella found at Ohio farm Washington Post November 8, 2010
Evidence of salmonella has been found at an Ohio egg farm that's received financing from the owner of an Iowa egg farm that was behind a massive recall earlier this year.
Costco-Linked E. coli Cheese Outbreak Sickens 25 Food Safety News November 5, 2010
More than two dozen people have been infected by an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that is being preliminarily blamed on cheese that was sold and offered in free samples by Costco.
Bisphenol A found in common foods The Province November 4, 2010
Chemical is in baby formula, soup, tuna and pet food among other products.
Industry Giants Move to Curtail Use of BPA Food Industry Today November 3, 2010
Health officials from many nations continue to reach consensus about the safety of BPA in food packaging, but the food industry already seems to have come up with its verdict: ditch it.
Federal Safety Standards Would Help Small Farms Supermarket News November 1, 2010
The author reverses his position from last year that small farmers should be exempt from new safety rules. Read his 3 reasons why.
Outbreak of Killer Celery Illustrates, Once Again, Why We Need Food-Safety Reform BNET (CBS) October 26, 2010
Most Americans, not to mention much of the food industry itself, would like to see the federal government have a firm hand on the task of food safety.

Consumers Union Press Releases

Food safety bill crosses finish line in Congress
Consumers Union celebrates big victory for consumers

CU heralds Senate passage of food safety bill
FDA has the authority to order food recalls and requires more frequent inspections of food manufacturers

CU urges Senate to approve food safety bill
The CU-endorsed bill comes in the wake of a series of food-related outbreaks of illnesses and deaths

CU praises Senate for voting to on food safety bill
The danger of contaminated food is a concern that affects everyone

Poll finds 93% of consumers want labeling on meat
Consumers overwhelmingly desire information about the origin of the foods they purchase.

FDA should require the labeling of GE salmon
CU poll: 95 percent want GE animals labeled

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