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Rosa DeLauro Introduces Food Safety Act - Let's Get Her Some Co-Sponsors!

by: Jill Richardson

Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 11:36:43 AM PST

Right now, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is introducing a bill called the Food Safety Modernization Act (H.R.875). This bill would establish a Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services (where the FDA currently resides). This would transfer all food safety duties from the FDA to the new agency and then rename the FDA the "Federal Drug and Device Administration." From my reading of the summary of the bill, it would not affect anything that is currently under other departments or agencies like the USDA or the EPA.

I don't think it's controversial to say that we need a better food safety system in this country. Two MAJOR things to note in the bill - it requires inspection AT LEAST once a year, and it gives the government the authority (at long last!) to mandate recalls AND tell consumers where the recalled food was located (not just which city or state, but which retail stores). It also provides for penalties up to $1,000,000 fines per person and/or jail time if you "commit a violation with the intent to defraud or mislead."

If you want to support this bill, please make a quick call or send an email to your Congressperson asking him or her to co-sponsor the bill. Please also, take a peek at the list of Congresscritters below - these are people targeted by Consumers Union who we'd like to see co-sponsor the bill. If you have a moment, please choose a few of those on the list and give them a call.

A suggested phone script is also below. To reach the capital switchboard, call 202 225-3121 or one of the toll-free numbers below.

1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
1 (800) 459 - 1887

Jill Richardson :: Rosa DeLauro Introduces Food Safety Act - Let's Get Her Some Co-Sponsors!

Suggested Phone Script

Hello,
My name is ________ and I was hoping to speak to Representative XXXX.
(If not available)
Great will you pass on a message?
I was calling to ask the Representative to please co-sponsor Representative DeLauro's Food Safety Modernization Act -HR 7143.
After 500 people have gotten sick and 8 have died from salmonella in peanut butter, we need much stronger food safety regulation. (if you have a personal story or connection please put it in here)
The DeLauro bill will require FDA to inspect all food processors at least once a year, including plants like the one in Georgia that is making everyone sick. The bill also includes many other needed reforms. Please co-sponsor it.
To cosponsor the Food Safety Modernization Act, or for more information, please contact Brian Ronholm in Rosa DeLauro's office (x53661 or brian.ronholm at mail.house.gov).
Thank you.

Representatives to call
Marion Berry
Mike Ross
Anna Eshoo
Mike Honda
Barbara Lee
Lucille Roybal Allard
Lois Capps
Jane Harman
Doris Matsui
Jerry McNerney
Bob Filner
Chris Murphy
Kathy Castor
John Barrow
Bruce Braley
Bobby Rush
Baron Hill
Charlie Melancon
John Olver
Edward Markey
John Sarbanes
Betty McCollum
G.K. Butterfield
Gary Ackerman
Maurice Hinchey
Nita Lowey
Louise Slaughter
Eliot Engel
Anthony Weiner
Marcy Kaptur
Tim Ryan
Zachary Space
Michael Doyle
Bart Gordon
Gene Green
Charles Gonzalez
Jim Matheson
Rick Boucher
Donna Christensen
Peter Welch
Brian Baird
Jay Inslee
Tammy Baldwin
Ron Kind

Tags: Rosa DeLauro, Food Safety Modernization Act, Food Safety, (All Tags)

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Rosa DeLauro Introduces Food Safety Act - Let's Get Her Some Co-Sponsors! | 7 comments

Sounds good! (4.00 / 1)

Definitely like the mandatory recalls part.

As to the fines, what are they currently?

My Congressman's not on that list, but I'll send an email to Earl Blumenauer later tonight anyways...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 03:22:00 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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I don't know what the fines are currently (4.00 / 1)

but note that it says it will fine INDIVIDUALS!! I think that'd be great.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

by: Jill Richardson @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 03:23:31 AM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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DeLauro Bill (4.00 / 2)

Fines are usually nothing unless "egregious" malfeasance is discovered. And as for fining individuals--this is a bone thrown to corporate lobbyists to get the bill to go through. Fining individuals limits industry financial exposure...assures they won't be bankrupted, just spanked; the corporations that poison can continue their reign of terror. It's complete politicking crap, but necessary to get enough votes for the bill. Rosa DeLauro, God love her, has introduced a similar bill about five other times. The annual inspection thing is a bargaining tool--that will never be made law, but with luck it may come down to once every 2 years. Other FDA bill that was introduced last week asks for inspections once every 4 years, and the lobbyists have been screaming ever since.

by: TheObamaFoodorama @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 03:56:53 AM UTC

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please keep us up to date on it (4.00 / 1)

if you've got an inside scoop about how the debate is going down.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

by: Jill Richardson @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 04:30:40 AM UTC

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But it would add more incentive to behave... (4.00 / 1)

I don't think any of the fines on individuals would specifically target, say, a janitor or a line worker unless it was proven that they actually were a large part of the problem. In which case, that individual and the company should be fined. I don't think this would necessarily shift any financial penalties off the company and onto individuals; rather, I see it as adding more incentive for people to do things the right way. I don't see why the two can't work together?

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 04:36:22 AM UTC

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I was kinda hoping the fines on individuals (4.00 / 1)

would mean fines on executives... like the Agriprocessors thing in which the top guys at the plant who broke the law are in trouble.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

by: Jill Richardson @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 06:50:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It would mean that too, right? (4.00 / 1)

Sorry, wasn't clear on that. Yes, in all cases like this I'd certainly expect that those at the top would be subject to big fines when covering up things like the positive salmonella test results.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 08:13:40 AM UTC

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