The U.S. Senate on Monday approved a measure to strengthen the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its role to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply.

The Senate legislation would:

  • Allow the FDA to order a recall of tainted foods. The agency currently can only negotiate with businesses to order voluntary recalls;
  • Require larger food processors and manufacturers to register with FDA and create detailed food safety plans;
  • Require the FDA to create new produce safety regulations for producers of the highest-risk fruits and vegetables;
  • Establish stricter standards for the safety of imported food; and
  • Increase inspections of domestic and foreign food facilities, directing the most resources to those operations with the highest risk profiles.

Included