[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2377-E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




OP-ED BY FORMER CONGRESSMAN PETER RODINO ON THE NEED FOR WARNING LABELS 
                        ON RAW SHELL EGG CARTONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, over the last two years I have been growing 
increasingly concerned about the difficulty the federal government has 
had in combating outbreaks of food borne illnesses in this country. 
Food borne illnesses are on the rise and, according to a recently 
released report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are 
occurring with a far greater frequency--more than double the rate--than 
was previously thought.
  In an effort to address this troubling trend, I have introduced two 
pieces of legislation this Congress that would improve the safety of 
the Nation's food supply. The first, the Consumer Food Safety Act, 
would establish a comprehensive food safety inspection and education 
program across the nation. The second, the National Uniform Food Safety 
Labeling Act, would help consumers make more informed choices about the 
food they eat through warning labels placed on food packaging.
  One particular aspect of the second bill I wanted to mention tonight 
concerns the placement of warning labels on egg cartons. I wanted to 
mention this for two reasons. The first is that the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services is expected soon to make a final recommendation on a 
proposal put forth in July to require warning labels on raw shell egg 
cartons. I strongly support that language and recently sent a letter to 
the Secretary urging her to finalize the language proposed in July, 
which I think will go a long way in protecting consumers against food 
borne illnesses caused by eggs.
  The second reason I wanted to mention this particular provision is 
one of the House's most distinguished former Members, Congressman Peter 
Rodino from my home State of New Jersey, has written an op-ed on this 
matter. Congressman Rodino's op-ed succinctly describes the problem, 
and the reasons why the Secretary's July language on raw shell egg 
safety should be finalized.
  I commend Congressman Rodino for recognizing the importance of this 
issue. He is right on the mark in his suggestion that the Federal 
Government should be looking at food safety as a priority issue. To 
that end, I submit his op-ed for the record and urge all of my 
colleagues to follow the suggestions of one of the most respected 
public figures to ever have served the people of New Jersey and the 
Nation.

       Over the past few years, I've followed with great interest 
     news and television stories about food poisoning. And, this 
     summer, I was disturbed to learn that the incidence of food 
     borne illness is on the rise, and that according to the 
     Centers for Disease Control, 76 million Americans became ill 
     and 5,000 die annually from food poisoning. While E. coli and 
     mad cow disease are significant, severe illness caused by 
     salmonella bacteria are pandemic, and eggs stubbornly remain 
     the number one source of food poisoning caused by salmonella.
       Salmonella contaminated shell eggs is an excellent example 
     of government recognizing a major health problem on one hand, 
     and having a solution on the other, yet sitting on its hands.
       The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) projects 
     that the number of cases of illness due to food poisoning 
     from eggs will continue to rise significantly from an 
     estimated 660,000 cases each year. Recently at a public 
     hearing in Washington, both the Food and Drug Administration 
     (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
     agreed upon a goal of reducing salmonella egg related illness 
     by 50% by the year 2005.
       I commend Secretary Donna Shalala for her efforts to combat 
     food borne illnesses by proposing stronger warning labels on 
     egg cartons to warn consumers about the risk of illnesses 
     caused by salmonella.
       I've also learned, the very same FDA created a standard to 
     pasteurize a raw egg in its shell, and the USDA designed a 
     process to inspect raw egg pasteurization, even certifying it 
     with a special seal of approval. Experts point out this is a 
     99.999% solution to the problem.
       While I commend the FDA for approving this egg 
     pasteurization technology and the USDA for creating a 
     mechanism for the protection against salmonella, until full-
     scale, raw egg pasteurization equipment is available to egg 
     producers, there are other common sense steps to protect 
     against food borne illnesses.
       One step is in a bill introduced by my friend, New Jersey 
     Congressman Frank Pallone together with a number of other 
     cosponsors earlier this year. The bill, known as the National 
     Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act, requires warning labels on 
     raw or soft cooked eggs, unpasteurized juice, and fish. These 
     foods could be harmful to as much as 30% of the population 
     consisting of children, the elderly, pregnant women and 
     persons with weakened immune systems such as AIDS patients.
       Senator Durbin (D-IL), recognizing the gravity of the 
     problem of food borne illnesses, introduced his bill, The 
     Safe Food Act, to address this problem. It would replace the 
     current fragmented federal food safety system with a single, 
     independent agency to oversee all federal food safety 
     activities.
       With all the risks facing us, eating eggs should not be one 
     of them. The CDC calls salmonella food poisoning from raw or 
     soft cooked eggs ``epidemic,'' the USDA says that salmonella 
     costs the U.S. economy up to $2.3 billion annually. A story 
     related by Congressman Pallone before the House of 
     Representatives concerning Lynn Nowak, his personal friend 
     and constituent, describes how Lynn became ill from food 
     poisoning while pregnant. This resulted in severe health 
     complications for her unborn daughter, Julia. Although modern 
     antibiotics cured Lynn, her daughter was left scarred.
       Until such time as pasteurization is required, I urge that 
     the Congress take the simple step of supporting the egg 
     carton warning label language proposed by Secretary Shalala 
     which states, ``Eggs may contain harmful bacteria known to 
     cause serious illness, especially in children, the elderly 
     and persons with weakened immune systems. For your 
     protection, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are 
     firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.''
       Hopefully this warning label could help reduce the 
     possibility of one more death or illness like Lynn's from 
     ever occurring again.

[[Page E2378]]

     It is unconscionable to sit still and not support this right 
     to consumer awareness.
       There many stories to tell, but Lynn and Julia's compelled 
     me to speak out on this critical issue. The human and 
     economic costs of food poisoning are simply too great to 
     stand by and do nothing.
       Not every tragedy can be prevented, but those that can be 
     should be stopped.
       Food safety should be looked upon by our government as a 
     priority issue.
       Peter W. Rodino, Jr.

       

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