The National Uniformity for Food Act, HR 4167, has been approved by a 30-18 vote. The bill prohibits any state from establishing or enforcing notification or warning requirements for food, food components or packaging that were not approved by the US FDA. The bill is supported by 226 co-sponsors in the House. Congress has long recognized the importance of setting nationally uniform food standards, with the Dept of Agriculture & FDA serving as primary guardians of food safety. HR 4167 would prevent California enforcement of Prop 65 warning requirements for food & food packaging that differed from FDA requirements unless the agency formally approved the warnings. As written, the bill would apply to all food packages including glass bottles. It must now be approved by the full House, & companion legislation must be introduced & passed in the Senate. The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is the leading industry group supporting this legislation which is opposed by the Attorney General of California, some food-safety officials and consumer activists. SGCD will work with legislators to support this sensible legislation.
