Fact Sheet

Safe FEAST Act

Members of Congress

Jim Costa

(Calif.-20)

Contact: Bret Rumbeck

(202) 225-3341

Adam Putnam

(Fla.-12)

Contact: Keith Rupp

(202) 341-8106

APRIL 23, 2008

The Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act (Safe FEAST Act)

Foreign Suppliers Quality Assurance Program

All imported goods coming into the United States must adhere to the same safety and quality standards as set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA Statutory Recall Authority

For the first time, FDA granted statutory recall authority to pull adulterated products from the food supply. FDA also given to access food safety records during emergencies and ability deny importation of goods if strict food safety standards are not met.

Mandatory Food Risk Assessment and Preventative Controls Plan

Requires domestic and foreign food companies selling food in U.S. to conduct a food safety risk analysis that identifies potential sources of contamination, outlines appropriate food safety controls, and documents in food safety plan subject to FDA review, address the risks of food-borne contamination.

Standards for the Safety of Fruits and Vegetables

To minimize the risk of adverse health consequences, establishes tough new standards for high-risk fruits and vegetables, as well as put into place Guidelines for Good Agricultural Practices for all produce.

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Did You Know?

The FDA oversees 80 percent of the nation's food supply, but only recieves 20 percent of food safety funding?
HACCP (Harzard Analysis and Critical Control Point) was originally developed for NASA to ensure the safety of food for consumption in space?
The FDA's entire budget is actually less than the budget for the school system in Montgomory County, MD, where FDA resides?
Some in Congress would impose "User Fees" on Food Companies as a way to increase FDA's budget. Such "fees" are really just new taxes on food and would undoubtedly be passed through to the consumer by way of higher food prices.
Current customs law already requires the importers of finished, packaged products, seafood, and some bulk foods to include country of origin labeling on the package. Beginning in 2008, fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the U.S. will also need to display their country of origin.