Congress asks companies to do more on food safety

By Christopher Doering

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. food suppliers are overhauling their own food safety rules, executives from companies involved in recent food recalls said on Tuesday, but lawmakers said the industry must do more to prevent future outbreaks.

A series of high-profile food safety scares in the past two years -- including spinach tainted with E. coli and peanut butter and pot pies with salmonella -- have aggravated concerns among consumers, Congress and federal health regulators.

Just last week, California-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co recalled 143 million lbs of beef because it butchered "downer" cattle in violation of federal rules. Plant workers were caught on videotape forcing unfit cattle to slaughter. It was the largest meat recall in U.S. history.

Food executives told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee they are implementing a series of initiatives to improve food safety at their facilities.

"The fact our industry has had recalls should not be viewed as an indication of complacency," said David DeLorenzo, the chief executive of Dole Food Company Inc.

In recent months, Dole has stepped up its testing and tracking of produce to prevent outbreaks of E. coli such as the one linked to bagged spinach two years ago that sickened hundreds and killed three.

But lawmakers told industry officials that while foodmakers have apologized, they have not done enough to prevent future recalls and unsafe products from reaching consumers.

"If you don't join us in changing the current system, I can assure you that this will not be the last time you join us in testifying about another recall," said Rep. John Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.