Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) plans to introduce a bill on food safety standards.  Included in the legislation will be regulatory standards for fresh fruits and vegetables.

"The absence of domestic regulatory standards for fresh fruits and vegetables is a problem that hampers our ability to assure safety, both domestically and abroad," Harkin said Tuesday.

He applauded USDA for "addressing the problem of safety in fresh produce," but "a number of emerging problems with this part of our food supply" make legislation necessary, he added.

Earlier this year, Harkin introduced legislation to grant USDA the authority to mandate a recall of adulterated meat and poultry products.