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.

Read more