FDA Commissioner Nominee Faces Confirmation Hearing
Dr. Margaret Hamburg, President Barack Obama’s nominee to oversee the Food and Drug Administration, is appearing before a U.S. Senate committee this afternoon regarding her nomination. The confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee began at 2:00 p.m. ET. Streaming video is available here.
The Associated Press is reporting that, if confirmed, one of Hamburg’s first tasks will be overseeing development of a vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus. In Hamburg’s opening remarks to the Senate committee that were made available to reporters earlier today, she also noted that food safety will be among her top priorities. “Important steps must be taken to better protect the nation’s food supply from farm to form,” Hamburg said.
NY Senator to Propose Director of Food Safety Oversight
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen U.S. food safety. Newsday.com is reporting that Sen. Schumer’s bill will call for a director of food safety oversight who would be a senior-level director at the Department of Commerce. The proposed director would focus exclusively on food safety.
Senator Durbin Likely to Introduce New Food Safety Legislation
The National Grain and Feed Association has reported to its members that Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), is likely to reintroduce food safety legislation next week. Senator Durbin has introduced similar bills in prior Congresses. Likely, co-sponsors include Senator Edward M. Kennedy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) committee, and Republican Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire. According to NGFA, the bill would require participants in the food chain to develop food safety plans to identify hazards that could adversely affect human or animal health.
Because of the peanut butter recall, there may be an attempt to take the bill straight to the Senate floor, bypassing committee hearings.
