LINDA WERTHEIMER, host: The Senate did give approval last night to a measure that would overhaul the nation's food safety system. The Food Safety bill would grant the Food and Drug Administration the power to recall tainted food. Right now private companies pull their own products. And this will be the first major revamp of food safety laws in decades. The bill now goes to the House where it's expected to pass this week.</s>LINDA WERTHEIMER, host: This is NPR News.
As the lame-duck session nears an end, the Senate has sent to the House a sweeping bill to make food safer. It would give the government broad new powers to increase inspections of food processing facilities, force companies to recall tainted food and create new safety standards.