Agriculture Report - New Rules Aim to Improve Food Safety in US

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VOA Learning English, we bring you news about agriculture, Special English. Each year, bad food sickens about one six Americans. But, proposed new rules raise hopes to food safety. Officials say the changes could prevent more 1 million cases of food-related illnesses each yearThe new were proposed recently, exactly two years after President Obama the Food Safety Modernization Act. The rules are the step in putting that law into effect. They represent biggest changes in food safety since the 1930s. The law makes the Food and Drug Administration responsible for foodborne illnesses. Experts say this is a change in way that the FDA has dealt with disease outbreaks the past. Congress passed the law after a series outbreaks that were linked to spinach, peanut butter and foods. The agency is proposing to require food manufacturers show that they have identified where contamination is most to happen. Manufacturers would also have to show that have taken steps to prevent problems. The proposed rules deal with safety in growing and harvesting fruits and . The Congressional Budget Office estimates that establishing all of provisions of the law will cost the government $1.4 . The Grocery Manufacturers of America, an industry group, has released an estimate of what it will cost producers. FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor says the new rules worth the cost. He says there should be reductions illness and disruptions in the food supply, and increases buyer confidence. He says, when these issues are considered, benefits outweigh the costs of the new law. For Learning English, I'm Alex Villarreal (Adapted from a program broadcast 22Jan2013)

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