The US House of Representatives has tied major food safety legislation to a government funding bill for the Senate's consideration before Congress concludes its final session of 2010.

The legislation would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to order a food recall and increase the frequency of its inspections. It would also require individual foodmakers to write a preventative plan regarding plant contamination. The food safety bill covers processed foods (including petfood), fruit and vegetables, but not meat.

Both chambers of Congress have approved a slightly different version of the bill but must agree on a single version before it can pass.