New legislation could standardize safety labelling thoughout states
food safety standards and warning labels on food products regulated
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005, introduced last week, was supported by 159 members of Congress and endorsed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).
Designed to provide consumers with consistent food safety information, if voted on this act would mean that food manufacturers would no longer have to label their products differently in accordance with the regulations set out by individual states.
Food products that fall under the regulation of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) already have national uniform labelling standards. However, with FDA-regulated products, food regulation is currently composed of a variety of different, and sometimes inconsistent requirements.
"The bill seeks to harmonize those differences to achieve national uniformity; it is a move to avoid the creation of a patchwork of safety warnings. The FDA would close the loop to ensure that all foods in the US are regulated to a standard level," said Stephanie Childs, GMA spokesperson.
The act, which would affect safety standard labelling for all food additives, ingredients and constituents, consists of a review of existing state regulations that may differ from a federal regulation.
Product warnings would be standardized, with states not permitted to require food manufacturers to communicate a warning in labelling, advertising, posters or any other means of communication if it differs from that imposed by the FDA.
The bill would not affect state authority in "traditional local food enforcement matters" such as freshness dating, religious dietary labelling, organic or natural designation and unit pricing.
The bill must now pass to the House Commerce Committee for consideration before being voted on.
