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Despite opposition from consumer groups and state officials, the U.S. House
passed a bill on Wednesday to create uniform food labels nationwide at the
cost, foes said, of overriding 200 state food-safety laws, March 2006 by
Charles Abbott.

Backers say a uniform standard is preferable to food safety warnings and
labeling rules that vary by state. The bill, passed 283-139, now goes to the
Senate.

While the food industry said the bill was aimed solely at simplifying food
labels, opponents forecast havoc. States would have to remove warnings about
dangerous items in foods, they said, and lose authority to inspect and
regulate food. States and localities do 80 percent of the nation's food
inspections.

"Within a matter of months, 200 state food safety laws would be wiped off
the books," said Rep. Louise Slaughter, New York Democrat, because the Food
and Drug Administration would gain the power to "invalidate state labeling
laws."

Under the bill, states would need FDA approval for labeling requirements,
whether new or already in effect, that differ from federal standards.
Currently states can adopt warnings or label rules that exceed federal
standards.

"This bill is about protecting the food safety of every citizen in the
nation," said Michigan Republican Mike Rogers, sponsor of the bill. If a
warning has merit, he said, it should be applied nationwide.

Eleven senators have spoken against the bill, said Erik Olson of the Natural
Resources Defense Council, which opposes the bill. Olson said there would be
little Senate interest, with elections set for November, in weakening public
health protections.

Consumer warnings about mercury in fish, arsenic in bottled water, lead in
ceramic tableware and alcohol in candy are at jeopardy under the bill, said
39 state attorneys general in a letter to Congress last week.

State health officers and agriculture departments said the bill would
compromise their power to inspect food plants, order the clean-up of unsafe
conditions or ban contaminated foods. Two consumer groups also warned of the
far reach of the bill.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association said critics misinterpreted the
legislation.

"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," said GMA President Manly Molpus.

Before passing the bill, representatives approved amendments that would
soften the impact on states somewhat by:

? allowing states to set standards on adulteration or food tolerances if the
FDA has not acted on the issue;

? requiring expedited FDA review of state petitions that deal with
substances that may cause cancer or cause birth defects;

? letting states issue warnings about mercury in fish;

? barring the bill from becoming law if the Homeland Security Department
said it would weaken defenses against bioterrorism.

[According to a related article (St. Louis Post-Dispatch; March 5),
opponents say that the bill would forestall state and local efforts to
impose labeling requirements on genetically modified (GM) food.

[www.merid.org]

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