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Consumer Groups Support DeGette's Food Safety Legislation

April 7, 2008

Advocates for Health and Food Safety with Millions of Consumer Members Back DeGette's Approach


WASHINGTON – Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette(D-CO) welcomed the support of her food safety legislation, the SAFER and TRACE Acts [H.R. 3484 and 3485], by two well-respected, independent consumer groups. The non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) laud DeGette's approach to food safety.

"The safety of our food supply is as important to our national securityas securing our borders," said DeGette. "I am proud that both theCenter for Science in the Public Interest and the Consumer Federationof America recognize that giving the government mandatory recall andtrace-back authority is not only good public policy, but boostsconsumer confidence as well. The record amount of tainted products thathave entered our food supply over the last year highlights the urgentneed for a comprehensive food safety bill in Congress."

CSPI's letterof support states that DeGette's legislation "puts teeth into a recallorder by providing the authority to assess civil penalties for failureto comply..." It goes on to say that "[r]ecordkeeping required by H.R.3485 is the key to assuring the FDA has [the ability to] quicklyidentify the source, inform companies along the supply chain, and alertconsumers."

CFA support lettersays that DeGette's recall legislation "would provide the agency withnecessary leverage during a recall" and her trace-back legislation isan "important element of a functional recall system that can helpprotect consumers."

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