Obama Signs Big, Pricey Food Bill

The legislation that President Obama signed Tuesday represents the biggest revamp of the country’s food regulation system in decades—that is, if it gets past those congressional Republicans spoiling for a fight as they pledge to crack down on government spending this year.  —KA

Los Angeles Times:

The legislation follows a series of widespread outbreaks of foodborne illness and food product recalls. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calls it “the most significant food-safety law of the last 100 years.”

But some Republicans in Congress who will oversee the FDA have questioned the necessity and cost of the overhaul—estimated at $1.4 billion over five years—and they have warned that the administration could face a tough fight to fund provisions designed to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.

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