One size does not fit all when it comes to food safety

Problem
The House passed H.R. 2749 in July and in the Senate, S. 510 is pending. Both bills impose an onerous federal regulatory regime on small direct market farmers and small local processors processing local foods for local markets. The problem that needs to be addressed by federal regulations is not fresh local foods marketed transparently, but the huge industrialized agribusinesses and the long supply chains that they utilize to move food thousands of miles from multiple sources to markets. The long food supply chain of industrial agriculture is where foodborne pathogens have created hazards that have moved Congress to act. 

Solution
Fresh, wholesome local foods are an alternative to the huge industrial agribusinesses where foodborne pathogens have resulted in sickness, injuries and deaths. Federal legislation to address traceability and increase record keeping to ensure food safety should not be directed at emerging new sources of fresh, easily traceable, local foods that are already governed by an existing framework of state and local health and sanitation and inspection laws.

For more information, read letter to Senators and fact sheet.