The U.S. Senate approved legislation to overhaul food safety regulations after a series of high-profile food recalls, including the most recent recall of millions of eggs after a potential salmonella outbreak.  The measure, approved by the Senate 73 to 25, represents the most significant overhaul of food safety laws in almost seventy years.  Support for this legislation has grown and the supporters of the measure reflect the broad agreement among food producers and processors as well as food safety groups.

The legislation gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to order mandatory food recalls, impose civil fines for violations and require more frequent inspections of food facilities.  The FDA would also have access to records of domestic food facilities in emergencies and would have the power to ban the import of high-risk foods if the products lacked proper certification.

The House may take up the Senate passed version as early as next week.