A bill that would mandate fines on pet food companies that fail to report recalls quickly is under consideration by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee. A House subcommittee postponed yesterday’s hearing on the FDA Revitalization Act until next Tuesday, June 19. In its current form, the bill, passed by the Senate this May, would establish an early-warning system for pet food recalls and animal illnesses, mandate fines for companies that fail to quickly report contaminated products, and, with the collaboration of pet industry players, write new federal standards for pet food ingredients, processing and labeling. It would also legalize the sale of turtles under 4 inches, which was banned in 1975 over concerns of salmonella poisoning in children who might put the small animals in their mouths. The Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce also canceled the mark-up sessions scheduled for today and tomorrow. Members needed more time to review the legislation and to decide on any additional amendments, a committee aid said. The subcommittee will review the bill at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The full committee is scheduled to discuss it that Thursday, June 21. Both should be available by webcast: http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/schedule.shtml. <HOME>
