Personal Injury Law

China Enacts Food-Safety Laws - Is the US Next?

By Bill Marler, Esq.

Chinese lawmakers last week passed new food-safety laws meant to tighten supervision of manufacturers and impose tougher penalties on those who make bad products, as the government seeks to restore public confidence after a spate of problems with tainted food.

The new law requires:

1. A system to recall problem products;

2. The enforcement of uniform nationwide standards for allowable additives to nutritional labeling;

3. A national food-safety commission to coordinate work by other government agencies;

4. Companies that produce substandard products will face higher fines and those whose licenses are revoked because of illegal conduct will be banned from food manufacturing for five years;

5. Companies are also legally liable for any harm they cause consumers;

6. Celebrities that endorse faulty products can also be held liable under the new law;

7. Farmers to adhere to safety rules governing the use of pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary drugs and feed additives in growing crops and raising animals;

8. Farmers will also be required to keep detailed records on raising crops and livestock for human consumption.

So, I wonder if our lawmakers will do anything?

Full post as published by Marler Blog on March 01, 2009 (boomark / email).