Now They're After All Your Food

Way back when I wrote about the federal assault on organic food content.   It can be seen in the archives below. The assault continues, but now it is about the content of all foods.

On this Thursday, March 2, there will be a vote on H.R.4167, the so-called National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005.  The full text is here.  The proposed legislation will do away with the regulations of individual states providing warnings and labelling.  The Toledo Blade provides a better description than I could.

The Toledo Blade:

Toledo Blade Link

DESPITE their professed disdain for "one size fits all" laws, Republicans in Congress are ganging up with potentially dangerous legislation that would require uniform food-labeling regulations in all 50 states.

Such a federal law could be misleading or pose a hazard to consumers, who are now protected by the kind of individual state regulations that, in Michigan, for example, require a warning about possible allergic reactions to sulfites in bulk food. Or an Ohio regulation that forbids the use of the word "honey" on a food label unless the product actually contains honey. ...

Such labels and warnings on store shelves and in advertising would have to gain approval of federal regulators, and might be rejected, under the disingenuously titled "National Uniformity for Food Act," sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, Republican of Michigan. The measure has 225 co-sponsors, including a few Democrats, in the House of Representatives.

Opponents contend that the real motive behind the proposal, being pushed by the food industry, is to dilute California food-labeling regulations, which were approved by voters in a ballot initiative back in 1986 and are more stringent than federal rules. This is a reasonable and not unduly alarmist conclusion. In nearly every instance pitting consumer protection against industry interests over the past five years, the Bush Administration has sided with industry.

This requires our immediate attention.  Here is a link where you can send an e-mailed message.  Or you can call 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073 and ask for your legislator.  Thank you for your help.