Food safety: testing and recalls.

Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, authorizes, for purposes of enforcement of the law, an authorized agent of the State Department of Public Health to, among other things, enter any factory, warehouse, or establishment in which any food is manufactured, packed, or held, enter any vehicle that is being used to transport or hold the food, and inspect any factory, warehouse, establishment, vehicle, or place, and all pertinent equipment, raw material, finished and unfinished materials, containers, and labeling in the factory, warehouse, establishment, vehicle, or place. Existing law authorizes the agent to secure any sample or specimen of any food, as specified. It is unlawful for any person to refuse to permit entry or inspection, the taking of samples or other evidence, or access to copying of any record as authorized by this part, or to conceal the samples or evidence, or withhold evidence concerning them. A violation of the law is a misdemeanor. This bill would authorize the State Public Health Officer to adopt regulations regarding the voluntary recall of food that, without intervention, could transmit an illness that could kill or seriously affect the health of humans, as specified.