Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2008 Draft Creates
Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens, Over-broad Enforcement Power, and Increased
Food Prices
WASHINGTON, April 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Grocery Manufacturers
Association (GMA) today issued the following statement from GMA Senior Vice
President and Chief Science & Regulatory Affairs Officer Bob Brackett
regarding release by House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman John D.
Dingell of a Discussion Draft of the Food and Drug Administration
Globalization Act of 2008. The Draft builds on proposals by Chairman Dingell
and Representatives Pallone, Stupak and DeGette.
"Food safety is the number one priority for the food and beverage industry and
we are committed to working with Congress to pass common-sense, realistic,
effective reforms to our nation's food safety system within this year," said
Brackett. "That said, the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of
2008 as drafted for discussion creates unnecessary regulatory burdens,
over-broad enforcement power, and would likely result in a further increase in
food prices.
"The user fees proposed in the draft are unfair food taxes imposed on food
manufacturers that will only work to arbitrarily increase the cost of food for
consumers at the worst time possible - when thousands of Americans are already
struggling to hold on to their homes and pay their already skyrocketing
grocery bills. New rigid, regulatory provisions in the draft will stifle
industry innovation, and broad new enforcement powers are unnecessary,
burdensome and will be untenably costly for the FDA. We are supportive of
reforms that will truly result in safer foods for our consumers, but think
there are better, more efficient and effective ways to accomplish this goal
than those outlined in this draft bill.
"It is critical that realistic, effective legislation be passed within this
year that results in a true partnership between Congress, the food industry
and federal agencies working in tandem to improve, modernize and strengthen
our nation's food safety system," concluded Brackett. "GMA and its member
companies are committed to achieving this goal."
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading
food, beverage and consumer products companies. The association promotes
sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and
growth and helps to protect the safety and security of the food supply through
scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief
executive officers from the association's member companies. The $2.1 trillion
food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million
workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's
economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmaonline.org.
SOURCE Grocery Manufacturers Association
Scott Openshaw, +1-202-295-3957, or Brian Kennedy, +1-202-639-5994, both of
Grocery Manufacturers Association
