[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E329]]



                       LABELING IMPORTED PRODUCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue that is 
extremely important to the health of millions of American families, the 
labeling of imported produce. We were reminded just how critical of an 
issue this is twice last year when a breakout of Cyclospora bacteria 
occurred in imported Guatemalan raspberries and when the Hepatitis A 
virus was found in strawberries which were imported from Mexico. In 
this particular case, these strawberries were illegally used in our 
nation's school lunch program and more than 150 students in Michigan 
were infected. When you take into consideration that shipments were 
sent to as many as 15 other states, thousands more could have been at 
risk.
  What is perhaps more frightening than the presence of these 
strawberries in our nation's school lunch program, is the fact that 
these children are in just as much danger eating dinner at home. Every 
day, millions of Americans buy produce without knowing where it was 
grown. Though nearly every consumer product we purchase has origin 
labeling, the fruits and vegetables we eat do not. Taking into 
consideration that foreign countries do not adhere to the same 
phytosanitary and labor standards as American growners and handlers, it 
is very likely that harmful fruits and vegetables are being stocked on 
the shelves of our local grocery stores.
  Mr. Speaker, this is simply unconscionable. Many of these countries 
are using pesticides that are currently banned in the United States or 
using irrigated water that is contaminated with raw sewage. it is also 
not uncommon to find young children being forced to work up to 12 hours 
a day picking and sorting these products. It is for many of these 
reasons that 80% of those asked in a recent survey believe that produce 
should have a label indicating its country of origin
  I, along with many of my colleagues, have already become a cosponsor 
of H.R. 1232, the Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1997, introduced by 
our good friend, the late Sonny Bono. This legislation will extend our 
current labeling laws, under the Tariff Act of 1930, to require country 
of origin labeling on imported produce at the final point of sale, the 
grocery stores. This requirement is neither complicated nor burdensome 
to farmers and retailers. H.R. 1232 will simply require that the 
country of origin of imported produce be displayed in a clear and 
visible manner if the produce package is not already labeled. For 
example, a grocer could place a sign above the food bin or include the 
information on or next to the price sign.
  This action not only promotes safety awareness, but is good trade 
policy as well. Many of our major trading partners, including Canada, 
Japan, Australia and various European nations, require country of 
origin labeling for imported produce, including the fruits and 
vegetables they buy from the United States. H.R. 1232 will place 
American farmers and consumers on a level playing field with out 
trading partners by harmonizing our labeling polices.
  Most importantly, however, this action will provide American 
consumers with the opportunity to decide for themselves what fruits and 
vegetables they wish to buy, I firmly believe that it is not only a 
parent's right to know where the food they are feeding their family 
originated, but is also our responsibility to provide safe food to our 
nation's children. It is my understanding that Congressman Condit has 
recently requested to become the first sponsor of H.R. 1232 for the 
propose of adding cosponsors and working for its consideration. I 
applaud this action and urge all my colleagues, who have not already 
done so, to strongly consider cosponsoring this important legislation 
and support its passage when it reaches the Floor.

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