The House of Representatives in Congress approved the first major changes to food-safety laws in 70 years after injuries and wrongful death have been linked to dangerous bacteria — which has led to several products liability claims.

The steps taken are a response to a variety of food-borne illnesses over the last three years.  Foods like spinach, pistachios and cookie dough are just some of the few that have caused illness and injury to consumers.

Peanuts were one of many products linked to food-borne illness which has caused new regulation and prevent cases of products liability.

Our firm’s San Diego personal injury attorneys believe that farmers and companies, who manufacture food for consumers, need to take extra precautions with their products.  Food and drinks can be especially vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.  When companies cannot protect consumers from products liability, we rely on the government to step in and take action.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the responsibility to make sure consumers are buying and consuming products safe to eat and drink.  Food illnesses make 25 percent of Americans sick every year and cause about 5,000 wrongful deaths every year.  The FDA’s recent mistakes have created doubt in the minds of government officials.

“Americans are dying because the Food and Drug Administration does not have the authority to protect them, and American producers and agriculture are being hurt,” said a representative from Michigan.

The new laws would place new regulations on food producers and importers.  An annual $500 registration fee will be assessed to food producing companies to help fund increased FDA inspections, enforcement and related activities like food-safety research.

The new laws requires food manufacturers to identify the risks they face and create controls to prevent contamination.  New inspection frequencies would also be put in place.  The FDA will also inspect high-risk facilities at least once a year and low-risk facilities every three years.

Consumers should never be fearful about the food or drinks they put in their system.  Unfortunately, we live in a world where food-borne illness and contamination makes it difficult to trust what we eat and drink.  The personal injury lawyers at our San Diego firm urge the government to take as much action necessary to make sure consumers get all the nourishment from food without illnesses.

If you think that you have eaten a contaminated food, seek out the best medical treatment you can find and do it as soon as possible.

Please contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced personal injury lawyer — in either English or Spanish — at (800) 655-6585 or click here to submit your case for a Free Review.