House fails to give speedy passage to bill establishing greater food safety oversight

Food safety bill denied quick passage in House

WASHINGTON — A sweeping food safety bill has failed to pass in the House after criticism that it was being pushed through too quickly.

The legislation would require more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers in the wake of a massive salmonella outbreak in peanuts.

The bill was considered under a suspension of House rules, and required a two-thirds vote for passage. The 280-150 vote on Wednesday was just a few votes shy of that threshold.

The expedited process allows limited debate and no amendments, and opponents of the legislation said the process was too rushed as most members had not been able to see the bill until early Wednesday.

The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration more authority in food safety.