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GMA Corrects the Record on the National Uniformity for Food Act

Posted on: Tuesday, 7 March 2006, 12:01 CST

WASHINGTON, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) today said recent attacks by opponents of H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act, are inaccurate and contrary to the bill's written word.

"Consumers deserve accurate information about the merits of this legislation," said C. Manly Molpus, GMA president and CEO. "Unfortunately, they are unlikely to get it because some opponents have chosen to launch a misleading and factually incorrect assault on this bill. The opponents of the National Uniformity for Food Act continue to misinterpret its intent and substance.

"In fact, the bill will strengthen the existing state-federal partnership on food safety to the benefit of consumers nationwide. By providing consistent, science-based food safety standards and warning requirements, all consumers will be able to have confidence in the safety of the food supply and the information on food labels -- regardless of where they live," Molpus concluded.

GMA pointed to several erroneous points made in recent days by opponents of the bill:

* Statements that H.R. 4167 will preempt roughly 200 state food safety and warning standards are gross overestimates. In fact, most of these state laws have nothing to do with food safety and warning information for packaged food, the narrow intent of the bill. For example, allegations that the dairy safety laws of the states would be affected by H.R. 4167 are wrong. * A California law requiring manufacturers to disclose the presence of more than one half of one percent of alcohol would not be preempted under H.R. 4167 because it is not a food or ingredient warning. * A New York law requiring fats and oils to be listed in descending order of predominance would not be preempted because it is not a food or ingredient warning.

H.R. 4167 is common-sense legislation that will help consumers make educated decisions for themselves and their families in an ever-changing and currently confusing food labeling environment. Consumers deserve a single standard when it comes to food safety, and this bill will allow states and the FDA to work collaboratively in establishing sound food safety policies that benefit, not confuse, consumers.

For more information about H.R. 4167, visit http://www.gmabrands.com/news/docs/NewsRelease.cfm?DocID=1628 or http://www.uniformityforfood.org/

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading branded food, beverage and consumer products companies. Since 1908, GMA has been an advocate for its members on public policy issues and has championed initiatives to increase industrywide productivity and growth. GMA member companies employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states and account for more than $680 billion in sales. The association is led by a board of member company chief executives. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at http://www.gmabrands.com/.

CONTACT: Stephanie K. Childs of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, +1-202-337-9400 or schilds@gmabrands.com

Grocery Manufacturers Association

CONTACT: Stephanie K. Childs of the Grocery Manufacturers Association,+1-202-337-9400 or schilds@gmabrands.com

Web site: http://www.gmabrands.com/http://www.uniformityforfood.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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