House Passed Bill Endangers Food Safety and Public Health

WASHINGTON, March 8 /U.S. Newswire/ — Following is statement of Andy Igrejas, director of Environmental Health Programs, National Environmental Trust:

"Today’s vote was more disappointing than it was surprising. It represents Washington at its worst: K Street versus Main Street and K Street won, for now.

"Powerful food industry lobbying groups have banded together to take state governments out of the business of regulating food safety. They are doing this for the simple reason that it is easier to control the Food and Drug Administration. States will now be prohibited from enacting stronger safety standards or health warnings than the federal government. There will be new red tape before they can respond to a bio-terror threat. The bill is both wrong in principle and would have an immediate affect on consumer safety.

"Consumers must now look to the Senate to protect their health and their right-to-know. While the House swept the bill through without hearings, the Senate should take the time for a full debate. Public scrutiny is the worst enemy of this noxious proposal."

More Information:

A bill that would nullify many food safety laws and prevent states from issuing warnings about groceries passed through the U.S. House of Representatives today despite concern that it could endanger human health. HR 4167 would effectively eliminate the ability of states to govern food safety. A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the current Senate session.

For more details visit http://www.net.org/health/

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