In an era where food safety standards are crucial to protecting the health and wellness of everyone, Republican legislators in Connecticut have introduced a bill to repeal the adoption of the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Code, a move that could undermine food safety.
The FDA Food Code is a set of guidelines for safe food handling in retail settings. It is used to:
- Reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses,
- Establish a uniform standard for food safety,
- Provide a standardized method for food safety inspections,
- And strengthen consumer confidence in food safety.
The bill, House Bill 5296, would repeal the FDA’s Food Code causing confusion in Connecticut and increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses, jeopardizing the public’s health across the state.
The FDA’s Food Code is regularly updated based on the latest scientific research, which means it’s one of the most reliable sources for best practices in food safety. By rejecting it, Connecticut lawmakers would be disregarding critical advancements in food safety protocols, opting instead for outdated regulations that are less comprehensive and could leave room for dangerous loopholes.
According to the CDC, Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The Food Code is designed to help prevent outbreaks of pathogens like norovirus and states and local governments must decide if they will adopt the provisions.
While the FDA Food Code itself is not a law, it is adopted and enforced at the state and local levels, meaning that many states, including Connecticut, align their food safety regulations with the FDA’s recommendations to ensure a consistent and science-backed approach to public health.
If passed, House Bill 5296 could cause confusion among those who prepare food and pose risks to consumers.
