[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CANCER-FREE LABEL ACT

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                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2012

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, exposure to cancer-causing agents increases 
every American's risk of cancer, and they are found in everyday 
products and in the environment.
  Since only 5% of cancer is caused by genetic factors, people can 
reduce their risk of getting cancer by the other 95% of causes by 
reducing their exposure to carcinogens.
  We all know that we can reduce our risk of getting cancer by wearing 
sunscreen, quitting smoking, and steering clear of asbestos. But what 
about everyday products? Which makeup has carcinogens? Which 
pesticides? Which air fresheners, carpet cleaners, flea collars, and 
yes, food items, increase your family's risk of cancer? Which baby 
shampoos?
  The reality is consumers do not know. Even if our constituents 
memorized the list of known and probable carcinogens, many substances 
in consumer products remain hidden. Words like ``fragrance'' and 
``artificial flavoring'' are used in place of specific ingredients to 
protect companies' trade secrets, and they should. But there is no 
denying that this protection makes it harder for consumers to make 
fully informed choices.
  And even if known carcinogens were not part of a product's ingredient 
list, certain manufacturing or storage practices can result in the 
introduction of carcinogens into a product, which then can pass into 
your body.
  Today, I am introducing legislation called the ``Cancer-Free Label 
Act.'' Under this bill, manufacturers who would like to market their 
products as being completely free of all known carcinogens would be 
allowed to seek a ``cancer-free'' label. By submitting a confidential 
application to be evaluated by the agency that regulates their specific 
product, a manufacturer could provide consumers assurance that the 
product is free of known carcinogens without having to divulge valuable 
trade secrets. The voluntary application would protect manufacturers' 
hard-earned intellectual property and could not be used by any agency 
of government for any reason other than determining the product's 
``cancer-free'' status.
  The application would simply include a full list of substances and a 
demonstrated adherence to best carcinogen-avoidance practices in 
manufacture, storage, and transportation. In addition, this program 
would not mandate any new bureaucracy to evaluate carcinogens; it 
simply creates a process for agencies to compare ingredients lists 
against existing government lists of known and probable carcinogens.
  Unlike other well-intentioned efforts to get carcinogens out of 
consumer products, this legislation would not rely on mandates or bans. 
If a manufacturer does not choose to apply, there is no penalty. The 
labeling program is 100% voluntary. It would simply harness the power 
of the free market, enabling consumers to choose safer products for 
themselves and their families. We all remember the most recent example 
of this--it was consumer selection, not government intervention, that 
got BPA out of baby products.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this market-driven legislation and give 
consumers and families across America the power to opt-out of cancer-
causing substances in everyday products.

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