[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. JOHN J.H. ``JOE'' SCHWARZ

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4167) to 
     amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for 
     uniform food safety warning notification requirements, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, the National Uniformity for 
Food Act deserves our full support. The issue is important to consumers 
and has achieved bipartisan support.
  This act is consistent with our long tradition of prudent 
Congressional oversight of interstate commerce to protect American 
consumers. The act is simple. Its purpose is to provide equitable 
protection of consumers by requiring the States and the FDA to provide 
consumers with a single standard for food safety that is based on a 
consensus interpretation of all available science.
  I believe the National Uniformity for Food Act is the best way to 
ensure that the safeguards we now have over meat, poultry, drugs, and 
many other products be applied to packaged food. Under the bill, States 
would retain their important functions such as sanitation, inspections 
and enforcement. The act contains mechanisms to review State food 
safety laws and consider them for national application.
  This act provides important Federal protections, while retaining 
valuable input from States and coordination between State and Federal 
food safety experts. There is no better way to assure Americans that 
packaged food they find on our store shelves is safe for them and their 
families. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important act.

                          ____________________