To the Point

Food Safety Bill Makes It through the Senate

Recent outbreaks of food poisoning from eggs, peanuts and spinach have killed more than a dozen people and sickened thousands more. Last year, the House voted vast new power for the Food and Drug Administration and yesterday the Senate followed suit, on a vote of 73 to 25, approving the biggest overhaul to FDA laws since the 1930's.

By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Recent outbreaks of food poisoning from eggs, peanuts and spinach have killed more than a dozen people and sickened thousands more. Last year, the House voted vast new power for the Food and Drug Administration and yesterday the Senate followed suit, on a vote of 73 to 25, approving the biggest overhaul to FDA laws since the 1930's. What caused an unusual spasm of bipartisanship? What new powers will the agency have? Lyndsey Layton covers food safety for the Washington Post.