Meat Industry INSIGHTS Newsletter

970922 NFPA Applauds Approval of FDA Food Reform Bill by House

September 17, 1997

WASHINGTON -- Approval by a Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee of an FDA food reform bill "is a significant step forward for responsible reform of the Food and Drug Administration," according to the National Food Processors Association (NFPA).

HR. 2469, the "Food and Nutrition Information Reform Act," was approved by the House Health and Environment Subcommittee, and was sent to the full Commerce Committee with a favorable recommendation. The bill contains a number of food regulatory reforms strongly advocated by NFPA.

NFPA President and CEO John R. Cady made the following comments on the approval of this legislation.

"NFPA applauds the Commerce Subcommittee for approving this important legislation. With members of both the House and the Senate, we have made the case that any FDA reform legislation passed by Congress must address food issues.

"Provisions contained in this bill will make it easier for companies to provide important information to consumers on the health benefits food provides. The bill will permit use of a health claim if it is based on, and consistent with, the published statement of an authoritative U.S. scientific body responsible for public health protection, such as the National Institutes of Health. The bill also establishes additional requirements to ensure prompt Agency review of such claims.

"This legislation also makes important reforms that will help advance the use of food irradiation as a food safety tool, including changes to labeling requirements that, while continuing to inform consumers if a food has been irradiated, will no longer mandate that irradiation information be more prominent than ingredient declarations. The bill also contains a provision requiring that FDA approve or disapprove the use of irradiation for red meat -- an action that NFPA has been urging for nearly three years.

"Finally, the bill removes the requirement for referral statements (i.e., 'See back panel for more information') on nutrient content claims, except where a food contains a nutrient at a level that increases the risk of a disease or health-related claim. Consumers know to look for the Nutrition Facts panel on virtually all food products for nutrition information; this reform therefore will help reduce 'label clutter' and make food labels easier for consumers to understand and use.

"We urge the full Commerce Committee to promptly consider and approve this legislation. And we will continue to urge action by the full Senate to pass the FDA reform bill approved by the Senate Labor Committee in June. While neither of the bills make all the food-related reforms needed, they represent a downpayment on FDA reform that we think will provide important benefits for both the food industry and consumers."

NFPA is the voice of the $430 billion food processing industry on scientific and public policy issues involving food safety, nutrition, technical and regulatory matters and consumer affairs. NFPA's three scientific centers, its scientists and professional staff represent food industry interests on government and regulatory affairs and provide research, technical services, education, communications and crisis management support for the association's U.S. and international members, who produce processed and packaged foods, drinks and juices.

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