Food Poisoning Law Blog : Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : PritzkerLaw : Food Safety, Outbreaks & Recalls

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Food safety advocates mark a major milestone today, after the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510) passed by a vote of 73 to 25 in the United States Senate. Introduced in March 2009, the bill would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more authority to issue recalls and step up inspections and enforcement. The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last year.

For the attorneys at Pritzker Olsen, and the clients they represent who have been affected by foodborne outbreaks, the food safety overhaul comes not a moment too soon.  One of those clients is Randy Napier of Medina, Ohio. His mother, Nellie Napier, died in January 2009 after consuming Salmonella-tainted peanut butter produced by King Nut Companies.

“I am appalled at what I have found out since my mother’s death about how poorly food is regulated and how these companies cut corners to save money,” Mr. Napier told the New York Times today.

But he continued to emphasize the importance of today’s progress. “My first thought when I heard the news today was, ‘Finally!’” Mr. Napier said. He and other families affected by the Salmonella peanut butter outbreak that sickened approximately 700 people have continued to fight to pass this legislation. Napier himself has gone to Washington, D.C. four times to lobby for the bill with members of Safe Tables Our Priority (STOP), a nonprofit food safety advocacy organization. He has also been in contact with Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich of Ohio—both of whom voted in favor of S. 510.

“It’s encouraging to see our lawmakers put the safety of American consumers before partisan politics,” Napier said. “This milestone finally puts somewhat of a closure to my mother’s death. There is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to food safety.”