What sickens 76 million people, causes 5,000 deaths and costs $152 billion each year? According to a report by the The Pew Charitable Trusts at Georgetown University, food-borne illnesses such as E. coli and salmonella do, and outbreaks will only get worse over time. It’s a significant problem that can impact anyone and anything regardless of size or strength. Large companies and SMBs can face major setbacks running into the millions as a result of recalls and lawsuits.

The FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture are the primary gatekeepers along with 15 other departments that ensure the safety of the food supply. As we’ve seen, however, things are falling are through the cracks, which is why the federal government is in the midst of considering legislation to provide these departments with more tools. Other legislation such as the U.S. Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) in the House and a similar Senate version (S510) are making their way through as well....