This bill allows the FDA to access concentrated animal-feeding operations for microbial sampling during foodborne illness investigations. Operations must provide reasonable access, and data must be shared with USDA and public health agencies.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows the FDA to access concentrated animal-feeding operations for microbial sampling during foodborne illness investigations. Operations must provide reasonable access, and data must be shared with USDA and public health agencies.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of </strong><strong>2025</strong></p><p>This bill provides that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may, under specified circumstances, request access to a concentrated animal-feeding operation (i.e., a stabled or confined animal-feeding operation of a specified size) to conduct microbial sampling.</p><p>Specifically, the bill allows the FDA to request access if the FDA determines that sampling is necessary to facilitate an investigation of a foodborne-illness outbreak, determine the cause of an outbreak, or address other public health needs. Concentrated animal-feeding operations must provide reasonable access for sampling, including sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment. The bill imposes penalties on operations that refuse to provide reasonable access. </p><p>Data collected in sampling efforts under this bill must be shared with the Department of Agriculture and state and federal public health agencies to facilitate the detection, investigation, and prevention of foodborne illness.</p><p></p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows FDA access to animal feeding operations
Enables microbial sampling for outbreaks
Requires reasonable access for sampling
Shares data with USDA and health agencies
Imposes penalties for refusing access
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Food safety investigators would have better access to potential contamination sources. Foodborne illness outbreaks could be traced more effectively. Large animal operations would face new sampling requirements.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Agricultural research
Animal and plant health
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Livestock
Meat
Medical research
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases
+1 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
852, 119th Congress (2025). "Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-852
