Washington, December 22
The ailing US food safety system yesterday moved closer towards its biggest overhaul in more than 70 years after the House of Representatives passed legislation that would increase inspections and give regulators the power to recall tainted foods.

The bill, named The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, was passed with a 215-144 vote. The legislation would empower the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to order a food recall when a company refuses the agency's request that it do so voluntarily.

It requires the FDA to inspect food facilities more often, expands its access to food facility records, and requires food producers and processors to identify possible hazards and develop prevention plans. The legislation also aims to make imported food safer by calling for more inspections of foreign food production facilities and requiring importers to verify the safety of foreign suppliers and imported food.

The legislation has already been passed by the Senate and will now be sent to President Barack Obama, who has supported the measure and is expected to sign it into law.

"This is an opportunity that will not come again for a long time," said Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "There is no question that this is a good bill, and that it will provide (the US Food and Drug Administration) with some critical new authorities."

Pressure to overhaul the food safety system has grown following several high-profile outbreaks involving lettuce, peppers, eggs, peanuts, spinach and most recently eggs since 2006 that have sickened thousands and shaken the public's confidence in the safety of the food supply.

The legislation would be the largest overhaul of US food safety laws since 1938, when Congress gave the FDA the authority to oversee the safety of food, drugs and cosmetics. Since then, the food supply has grown into a vast network dependent on more fresh foods and imported products, but oversight laws have largely failed to keep pace.

"This is a big victory for consumers that finally brings food-safety laws into the 21st century," said Jean Halloran, the director of food policy initiatives at Consumers Union. "For a long time, we've been saying that we needed to do a better job of making sure our food is safe, and under this bill, we will," she said.

Food-borne illnesses strike an estimated 48 million people in the United States each year, killing 3,000, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated. — Agencies 

Indian Army chief VK Singh was on Wednesday conferred the title of ‘honorary General’ of Nepal Army, even as he asked Nepal not to allow any activity directed against India from its territory.

Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav provided Gen VK Singh with an insignia and citation of Nepal Army as part of the investiture ceremony.

Vice-President Parmananda Jha, Defence Minister Vidya Bhandari and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood were also present on the occasion.

There is a tradition of conferring each other’s Army chiefs by the head of the state while they pay official visit. Last time, Nepal army chief Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung had received the similar honorary rank of General of Indian Army from the President Pratibha Patel amidst a function while he was on a official tour to India.

Earlier, the Indian Army chief called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and discussed matters relating to strengthening relations between the two armies. During the meeting, he expressed India’s security concern saying that he expects Nepal will not allow any activity directed against India from its territory.

In his response Prime Minister Nepal assured him that Nepal would not allow its soil to be used against any such activity, PM’s Office said.

General Singh also called on Defence Minister Vidya Bhandari at her office at Singhdurbar and discussed relations between the armies of the two countries.

India had expressed concern over cross-border terrorist activities through Nepal, which shares nearly 1850 km open border with India.