This bill allows the FDA to request access to concentrated animal-feeding operations for microbial sampling during foodborne illness outbreak investigations. Operations must provide reasonable access for sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment, with penalties for refusal. Collected data must be shared with USDA and public health agencies for illness prevention.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows the FDA to request access to concentrated animal-feeding operations for microbial sampling during foodborne illness outbreak investigations. Operations must provide reasonable access for sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment, with penalties for refusal. Collected data must be shared with USDA and public health agencies for illness prevention.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
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>
Covers sampling of animals, water, and environment
Penalties for operations refusing access
Data shared with USDA and public health agencies
Facilitates illness detection and prevention
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Large animal feeding operations can be sources of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting consumers nationwide. Currently, FDA access to these facilities for outbreak investigations may be limited. This bill provides clear authority for sampling while requiring data sharing across agencies to improve outbreak response. The agricultural industry may have concerns about access, but public health advocates argue such sampling is essential for protecting the food supply.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Health
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
376, 119th Congress (2025). "Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-376
