State House Helps Along Tomato Food Safety Bill

The Florida House of Representatives voted on and unanimously (114-0) passed the proposed Tomato Food Safety bill. This action follows up the state Senate’s 35-1 vote last month in favor of the bill.

The new measure comprises minimum food safety standards for producing, harvesting, packing, and repacking tomatoes. It authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect tomato farms, greenhouses, and packinghouses or repackers. The bill also provides a presumption that tomatoes introduced into commerce are safe for human consumption under certain circumstances, and revises duties of the Division of Fruit and Vegetables for tomato food safety inspections, etc.

The bill, which is now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk for consideration, was designed to ensure the safety of Florida-grown tomatoes following a false salmonella scare nearly two years ago. In 2008, a federal investigation of a salmonella outbreak initially focused on tomatoes. After investigating, not a single Florida tomato was found to be contaminated. Eventually, officials pointed the finger at Mexican jalapeno peppers.