WHAT'S IN YOUR FOOD
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. Take action here:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/rd/labeling.cfm
FACT OF THE WEEK
In the 2006 election cycle, big agribusiness has already given $14,562,681 in
campaign contributions to members of Congress.
Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=A
