Food Safety Reform Bill Finally Moves Forward

A sweeping food safety reform bill aimed at ultimately making food safer for consumers is now awaiting approval from the U.S. House of Representatives after languishing in limbo over a technicality.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act by voice vote Sunday night. The bill's major sponsor, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, said in a statement after the vote:

"It has been almost a century since our food safety system was updated -- and over a year since this bill first started to move in Congress. Tonight, we achieved a critical victory, bringing this bill one step closer to the finish line. I look forward to standing with the President as he signs this important measure into law, and in so doing, giving Americans one of the best holiday gifts they can receive this year -- the assurance that the foods they are eating are safer."