New Pa. law improves food safety oversight

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians will soon enjoy greater peace of mind that the businesses where they eat or buy food are clean and safe under a new law that raises the bar for food safety in Pennsylvania, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

Gov. Edward G. Rendell last week signed Act 106, which clarifies and strengthens oversight of food safety inspections for all retail food facilities, or restaurants and retail food stores. The new law takes effect Jan. 22.

"Pennsylvania is home to more than 12.5 million citizens and many more travelers who trust us to ensure the food they consume or purchase is safe,” said Redding. “A uniform, statewide standard for food safety inspections will ensure food safety standards are consistent from community to community."

Redding said 167 local jurisdictions perform their own safety inspections of an estimated 60,000 retail food facilities. Under the old law, each of those jurisdictions was allowed to have its own inspection procedures and reporting mechanisms.