The following are the comments of Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), reprinted from the Congressional Record of November 8, 1997, as he introduced to the Senate the Safe Food Act of 1997, S. 1465. Cosponsored by Sen. Robert G. Torricelli (D-NJ), the bill was referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. The corresponding House bill, H.R. 2801, was introduced by Rep. Vic Fazio (D-3rd, CA) on November 4 and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Committee on Commerce. House cosponsors are Reps. Marcy Raptor (D-9th, OH), Jose Serrano (D-16th, NY), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-3rd, CT), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th, NJ), and Nita M. Lowey (D-18th, NY). We welcome your comments as to whether consolidating all food safety agencies into one would be beneficial or not.