MWFPA has joined a coalition of 24 food and agriculture organizations urging the super committee charged with cutting at least $1.5 trillion in federal spending to avoid any new food safety taxes or fees in reaching its budget goal.

U.S.Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) have intro­duced a bill (S. 1662) that focuses on the potential risks of products containing nanomaterials. The Nanotechnology Regulatory Science Act of 2011 would establish a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) program to conduct the scientific research needed to evaluate the health and safety of common nanotech products and develop safety practices for companies using the technology. 

Because nanotechnology is playing an increased role in the way food is produced, processed, packaged, transported and consumed, MWFPA continues to monitor the legislative and regulatory environment surrounding this important subject area and provide timely updates to our members.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearingon October 12, 2011, to consider "Food Marketing: Can 'Voluntary' Government Restric­tions Improve Children's Health?" Speaking for the committee, Chair Fred Upton (R-Mich.) concluded that an interagency working group responsible for developing standards for marketing food to children and teenagers had taken "a first step toward Uncle Sam planning our family meals."

Agency witnesses, such as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck, then testified that the proposed voluntary standards released in spring 2011 are undergoing "significant revi­sions" to allay the concerns of industry stakeholders.

Along with industry leaders, Collins and other lawmakers have consistently expressed concern about cutting starchy vegetables. MWFPA has opposed limitations on the serving of starchy vegetables.

Supporters and producers of organic foods have petitioned the US government for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.

The 21 petitioning organizations want the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use the full power of the law to ensure that consumers know when they are buying food made with genetically modified ingredients.  The petition is currently being reviewed by the FDA.

Industry representatives say genetically modified foods are safe and labeling them is unnecessary, citing a statement from the Food and Drug Administration saying the agency had no reason to believe they "differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way." No mainstream regulatory organization in the U.S. has opposed the introduction of genetically modified organisms.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Margaret Hamburg has renewed her call for more funding to ensure the agency can do its job under the Food Safety Modernization Act.FDA funding for the year ahead is still uncertain. US spending bills have been tightened by concerns over the level of national debt, and a congressional supercommittee created to come up with recommendations for how to save $1.5 trillion over ten years by November 23.  

At the 34th annual National Food Policy Conference in Washington, Hamburg told an audience of consumer advocates, food industry and government representatives that all parties need to collaborate over the "promise that our food supply will be safe for every American".

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in addition to other federal agencies will hold a joint public meeting entitled, "Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption."

The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the FDA White Oak Campus, The Great Room, Building 31, Room 1503, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993.

The public meeting is part of a broader effort by FDA and other agencies to obtain comments, data and evidence relevant to the dietary intake of sodium as well as current and emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. Click here for complete details on how to submit comments.

DFL'er Daniel Fanning, a military veteran and form staffer to U.S. Senator Al Franken, has jointed the race to unseat GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack in MN's 8th Congressional District. Democrats Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan are already running.

Top of Page

Eagan City Council and DFL member Gary Hansen has announced he will run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 38A. Hansen will face off against first-term Republican Rep. Diane Anderson.

Top of Page