Rogers: Food Uniformity Act Protects Consumers

Congressman's Legislation Reported by Committee, Sent to House

THURSDAY, December 15, 2005 - Uniform food labeling standards will give American consumers stronger food safety protections, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, sponsor of legislation reported by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today.

The National Uniformity for Food Act, H.R. 4167, amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a nationwide system of food safety standards and warning requirements for food labels. The measure was reported to the House of Representatives for a vote.

"Today we have a patchwork of food safety laws, differing from state to state," said Rogers, who introduced the bipartisan measure earlier this year. "Creating a uniform system assures Americans that no matter where they live or travel in the nation, they can depend on food labels to reflect the contents of food and the potential for reactions to certain contents.

"The National Uniformity for Food Act will integrate state food laws into the national system, to protect Americans in a market where many of our food products come from other parts of the nation and the world. In today's worldwide market, it is essential that we have a mechanism for a thorough, orderly food labeling system based on safe, scientific guidelines."

Rogers said national standards already exist in the areas of meat and poultry products regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and in nutrition labeling, health claims, standards of identity, pesticide residue tolerance, medical devices, and drugs regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The federal measure would preempt state laws, except in cases where states seek to have their requirements adopted by the federal agency. The measure, which has 221 co-sponsors, allows states to petition the FDA to include their guidelines in the national uniformity system.

The bill does not preempt the authority of states to respond to an imminent hazard, nor does it affect the ability of states or local governments to inspect food, inspect restaurants, or require labels related to freshness dating, open date labeling, grade labeling, state inspection stamp, religious dietary labeling, organic or natural designation, returnable bottle labeling, unit pricing, and statement of geographic origin.

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