House Approves Food Uniformity Bill
News Date March 13, 2006
The House approved the "National Uniformity Food Act" (H.R. 4167) on March 8 which would preempt state and local food safety regulations and policies. The legislation passed by a vote of 283 to 139 after a week of intense and sometimes heated debate.
NASDA sent a letter to members of the House on February 27 urging lawmakers to vote against the bill. The general intent of the legislation is to provide uniform food safety warnings and notifications. However, NASDA and other state government officials have strongly opposed H.R. 4167 because the bill goes far beyond this purpose and expands federal preemption under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. NASDA has urged Congress to hold hearings on the legislation and to seek input from state and local officials in the food safety system. Two of NASDA's affiliate organizations have strongly opposed the legislation--the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
During debate on H.R. 4167, the House approved an amendment offered by Rep. Dennis Coardoza (D-Calif.) that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite state petitions asking for food safety warning labels related to cancer-causing agents. Lawmakers also approved an amendment offered by Rep. Debbie Wasserma-Schultz (D-Fla.) to allow states to continue to issue warnings about mercury in fish and shellfish without having to petition the FDA. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)