April 21/Boston/Associated Press -- The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that would boost the criminal penalties for knowingly flouting food safety rules.
The Food Safety Accountability Act, S. 216, was passed unanimously by the Senate and referred to the House. The measure would subject individuals or companies that knowingly contaminate the food supply by distributing misbranded or tainted food products to felony charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison.