Senator Harkin introduces farm safety bill

Senator Tom Harkin has introduced a bill designed to close gaps in thenation’s food safety system.Harkin says the consumption of fruits and vegetables has risen and that’swhy we need safety standards to regulate them.He says this isn’t an indictment of the entire industry as he says most ofthe produce and fruits and vegetables are safe to eat.Harkin says there have been enough problems to warrant new regulations.Harkin says the new regulations will require processors to adhere to goodmanufacturing processes, give the FDA authority to require and verifyinspection of processors, require guidelines for safe growing and harvestingof produce, require the FDA to do research on how consumers get sick fromproduce and how to prevent the problems. It would also require education onsafe handling of produce for processors, retailers, food service workersand consumers.