National Uniformity for Food Act Would Undermine Our Best Food Safety Standards

areas. For instance, local state governments maintain regulations
that ensure food served in restaurants, schools and nursing homes
is safe to eat. (The federal FDA has no requirements for the
safety of food served in such establishments.) According to Rep.
Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), ‘This bill would eliminate virtually every
state and local law that provides greater protection than our
federal food laws.’

Alaska labels all its genetically modified fish. New York and Rhode
Island limit toxic materials in food packaging. Illinois regulates
egg processing to reduce contamination. California has set a
maximum for lead and alcohol content in candy, requires the
labeling of ingredients that are known to be carcinogens and
prohibits the use of certain dietary supplements by high school
athletes. Sixteen states assure that shellfish is not contaminated.
Maine requires that food producers disclose the use of post-harvest
pesticides. Numerous states regulate potentially harmful food
additives. Maryland requires a label if ‘fresh’ food was previously
frozen, and Delaware requires one if carbonated beverages contain
artificial sweeteners.

By enacting legislation that makes food laws all conform to one
federal model, all these progressive policies will be made
illegal. Supporters of the bill include food giants such as
HJ Heinz Co., Kraft Foods, Sara Lee Corp., Nestle USA and many
supermarket chains.

This legislation has already passed the House (H.R. 4167), but it’s
not too late to do something about it! The Senate Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is considering the National
Uniformity for Food Act (S. 3128) this week.

• View a list of
  food safety
  laws in your state that could be wiped out by the National
  Uniformity for Food Act.
• Encourage your
  senators
  to safeguard our best food safety standards.
• Take action via the
  Union
  of Concerned Scientists or the
  Center
  for Food Safety.
• Read about the federal
  
  FDA scientists who were pressured to alter safety
  findings.