FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY WELCOMES SENATE HEARING ON NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
Urges Senate to Pass Bill that Benefits Consumers
July 26, 2006, Washington, D.C. – In advance of the July 27 Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the National Uniformity for Food Act (S. 3128), the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) applauded the committee’s decision to host a public hearing on the bill and urged the Senate to quickly consider and pass the legislation.
“GMA commends the Senate HELP Committee for hosting tomorrow’s hearing, which will examine the merits of National Uniformity for Food Act,” said C. Manly Molpus, GMA president and CEO. “As longtime supporters of this legislation, we believe this hearing will set the record straight on the intent and scope of the bill, and demonstrate to the Senate and the American public that this common-sense bill deserves to be passed on its merits.”
S. 3128 will provide for nationally uniform food safety standards and warning labels on packaged foods under the purview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, S. 3128 specifically preserves the critical food safety functions of state governments, including enforcement, sanitation inspections, licensing and protection of public health in the event of food emergencies or terrorist threats.
During the hearing, members of the HELP Committee will hear expert testimony from several witnesses, including Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), a co-sponsor of the bill; William Stadtlander, owner of Homestat Farms; Peter Barton Hutt, senior counselor at Covington & Burling, and former chief counsel for the FDA; and Dr. Elsa Murano, dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, and former under secretary for food safety of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Consumers in the United States have access to the safest food supply in the world thanks in large part to the joint efforts of state and federal food safety officials. The National Uniformity for Food Act will enhance that partnership while at the same time providing all consumers with consistent, science-based food safety information. We urge the Senate to quickly consider and pass this vital piece of legislation,” concluded Molpus.
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The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The Association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps ensure the safety and security of consumer packaged goods through scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the Association’s member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation’s economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmaonline.org
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