Groups urge Senate to pass food-safety bill

Companies and consumer groups lobbied the Senate Monday about passing food safety legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to put the bill on hold because of time restrictions, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Food Marketing Institute, US Chamber of Commerce, Snack Food Association and consumer advocates such as the Consumers Union and the Center for Science in the Public Interest all were involved in pushing for the legislation to pass.

The legislation would allow the Food and Drug Administration to have stricter food-safety standards and the ability to order food recalls. The House passed the legislation more than a year ago.