Illinois PIRG : Tell Congress to Keep Our Food Supply Safe

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Illinois PIRG : Tell Congress to Keep Our Food Supply Safe

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 08:17:29 -0600

Rebecca D. Stanfield, Illinois PIRG Environmental Attorney

<RebeccaS

 

 

 

 

Hi .....,

 

State and local governments play a critical role in keeping America's

food supply safe and free of dangerous chemicals and pathogens. In

addition to conducting the majority of food safety inspections, many

states have passed strong food safety laws covering everything from

eggs to shellfish to fruit juice.

 

Unfortunately, powerful corporate interests are lobbying Congress to

nullify these state-level food safety protections and leave the safety

of our food supply in the hands of an increasingly unresponsive and

under-funded federal bureaucracy. As early as this Wednesday, the U.S.

House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 4167, a bill that would

erase 200 proven food safety laws and eliminate states as the first

line of defense against threats to our food supply.

 

In the days of mad cow disease and bird flu, we need to be more

vigilant, not less.

 

Tell your member of Congress to vote NO on H.R. 4167, the National

Uniformity for Food Act. Then ask your family and friends to help by

forwarding this e-mail to them.

 

To take action, below or paste it into your web browser:

 

http://uspirg.org/uspirg.asp?id=1462 & id4=ES

 

 

Background:

 

The current food safety regulatory system in the United States is the

shared responsibility of local, state and federal partners. States and

localities play a critical role. Approximately 80% of food safety

inspections in the nation are completed at the state and local level.

States also have filled important gaps by passing strong food safety

standards that address areas not touched by the federal government or

go above and beyond federal requirements.

 

Unfortunately, powerful corporate interests are fighting to deprive

states and localities of the right to protect their citizens and

ensure the safety of America's food supply.

 

As early as Wednesday, March 8th, the U.S. House of Representatives

will vote on H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act. This

bill wipes out any state food safety law that is not identical to

federal law - even in areas where the federal government has done

nothing. The bill could directly harm consumers by increasing their

exposure to food-borne illnesses and toxic chemicals.

 

For example, this bill would nullify laws in California, Florida,

Louisiana, and Rhode Island requiring warning labels on shellfish,

which often carry lethal pathogens; an Illinois law regulating the

safety of eggs; and an Alaska law requiring labeling of genetically

modified fish.

Moreover, this bill would forever tie states' hands on a range of

emerging food safety issues, such as bird flu and mad cow disease,

asking us to trust that the federal government will act in a timely

manner.

 

This bill also would nullify California's Proposition 65, approved by

voters in 1986 to require warnings for products containing chemicals

known to cause cancer or birth defects. Consumers have the right to

know if their food contains dangerous chemicals. In the absence of

strong federal standards, states and localities have the right to

provide this information.

 

Interested in getting involved locally? Consider attending the 2006

FamilyFarmed.org EXPO at the Chicago Cultural Center March 10 & 11.

 

It's the one event in Chicago where farmers, families and friends all

come together to celebrate delicious, healthy, local organic food.

You'll have the chance to meet and purchase products from local family

farmers and learn from over 75 informative exhibits set up by local

food businesses and organizations. There are a wide-variety of

workshops to attend; movies; an interactive Kids Corner; bookstore

with hundreds of titles; and exciting chef demonstrations. To learn

more, visit

http://www.familyfarmed.org

 

Please help us by taking a moment to tell your member of Congress that

states should be able to do whatever it takes to keep our food supply

safe. Urge your member of Congress to vote NO on H.R. 4167, the

National Uniformity for Food Act. Then ask your family and friends to

help byforwarding this email to them.

 

To take action, or paste it into your web browser:

 

http://uspirg.org/uspirg.asp?id=1462 & id4=ES

 

Sincerely,

 

Rebecca D. Stanfield

Illinois PIRG Environmental Attorney

RebeccaS

http://www.IllinoisPIRG.org

 

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this

e-mail with your family and friends.

 

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