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© 2010 Grocery Manufacturers Association 1350 I (eye) Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005 ph 202.639.5900 :: fx 202.639.5932 :: info@gmabrands.com :: privacy statement :: comments/feedback :: |
Introduced by Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), the bill has the strong bi-partisan support of 225 additional members of Congress. If enacted, this legislation will provide all consumers with accurate, consistent information about food safety. Relying on the best science available to state and federal governments, the National Uniformity for Food Act will harmonize existing state and federal laws to create a uniform system for all food safety standards and warning labels.
“The National Uniformity for Food Act is common-sense legislation that will help consumers make educated decisions for themselves and their families,” said GMA President and CEO C. Manly Molpus. “Consumers deserve a single standard when it comes to food safety, and this bill will ensure that the states and the FDA work collaboratively to establish sound food safety policies that benefit, not confuse, consumers.”
Under the proposal, states would have the ability to petition the FDA to apply their safety standard nationally. In addition, state governments would retain their authority to enforce existing regulations for inspections and sanitation requirements as well as the ability to issue their own warnings as they deem appropriate.
Congress has long recognized the importance of setting nationally uniform food standards. For example, Congress passed the “National Labeling and Education Act of 1990” to provide consumers with consistent nutrition information on all packaged foods and beverages. Other bills enacted to ensure uniform national food standards include the “Food Quality Protection Act of 1996,” the “Poultry Products Inspection Act” and the “Meat Inspection Act.”
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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe.
Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders.
In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
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© 2010 Grocery Manufacturers Association 1350 I (eye) Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005 ph 202.639.5900 :: fx 202.639.5932 :: info@gmabrands.com :: privacy statement :: comments/feedback :: |