The House of Representatives has passed, with cosponsorship of Tim Johnson, Republican representative of the 15th Congressional District, a bill that would federally preempt most food labelling laws that provide important protections to consumers. See this article in the San Francisco Chronicle. Who wanted the bill? The food industry. Who's hurt by the bill? Ordinary Americans with food allergies, special dietary restrictions, and a desire to eat wholesome, organically grown foods.
Here's just a part of the San Francisco Chronicle's description of the lobbying effort by Big Food. Notice the connection to the White House team--Chief of Staff Andrew Card's brother just happens to be an important lobbyist for Big Food.
Corporations and trade groups that joined the National Uniformity for Food Coalition, which backed the bill, have contributed more than $3 million to members in the 2005-06 election cycle and $31 million since 1998, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
The industry also has many top lobbyists pushing the bill, including White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card's brother, Brad Card, who represents the Food Products Association.
Here's what the organic consumers organization had to say about the action.
On March 8, despite massive public opposition, including 50,000 calls and letters from supporters of the Organic Consumers Association, the House of Representatives passed the controversial "national food uniformity" labeling law, which would eliminate over 200 state food safety labeling laws. The law basically takes away local government and states' power to require food safety labels such as those required in California and other states on foods or beverages that are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions, or mercury poisoning. The bill would also prevent local municipalities and states from passing laws requiring that genetically engineered foods and ingredients be labeled. Under the bill, hundreds of state laws and regulations would be eliminated, including those relating to the safety of milk, fish, and shellfish. In order to become law, the bill will now have to go to the Senate for a vote. Because of the enormous public backlash against the bill, Washington analysts believe the bill will have great difficulty passing in the Senate. OCA and other public interest organizations have vowed to go "all out" to stop this anti-democratic, anti-consumer bill in the Senate.
If you want to take action, WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM NOT TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. If you are from the 15th Congressional District in Illinois, WRITE TIM JOHNSON AND TELL HIM THAT HE MADE A BIG MISTAKE IN VOTING WITH BIG FOOD ON THAT BILL. If you want more information and other ways to take action, go to the organic consumer organization's website at:
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