Congress enacted sweeping food safety legislation that represents the largest overhaul of the nation’s food safety laws in more than 70 years.  

The measure garnered the support of food producers, grocery manufacturers and consumer organizations that pushed vigorously for the bill’s passage in this lame duck session of Congress.  The bill gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more regulatory power and allows the agency to call for mandatory recalls of food products.  The new law will also require food manufacturers to have more detailed food safety plans and gives the FDA more access to company records.

The Senate passed the bill earlier last month and the House voted today by a vote of 215 to 144 to approve the measure.