The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration broad powers over recalls, increase the rate of plant inspections and boost access to food facility records. The House of Representatives passed a similar version of food reform legislation in July 2009.
"There are people all across America who understand that when you go shopping at the food store and buy groceries or buy produce there is a sort of built-in assumption that it's safe," said Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat.