As you're probably aware, the peanut butter recall is raging on and at least 8 people are dead as a result. Obama said:
At bare minimum, we should be able to count on our government keeping our kids safe when they eat peanut butter
Well Rosa DeLauro is trying to make that happen, by introducing the Food Safety Modernization Act. It looks to me like "the change we need" (as promised by Obama) - so now we need to help DeLauro get some co-sponsors!
Right now, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is introducing a bill called the Food Safety Modernization Act. This bill would establish a Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services (where the FDA currently resides). This would transfer all food safety duties from the FDA to the new agency and then rename the FDA the "Federal Drug and Device Administration." From my reading of the summary of the bill, it would not affect anything that is currently under other departments or agencies like the USDA or the EPA.
I don't think it's controversial to say that we need a better food safety system in this country. Two MAJOR things to note in the bill - it requires inspection AT LEAST once a year, and it gives the government the authority (at long last!) to mandate recalls AND tell consumers where the recalled food was located (not just which city or state, but which retail stores). It also provides for penalties up to $1,000,000 fines per person and/or jail time if you "commit a violation with the intent to defraud or mislead."
If you want to support this bill, please make a quick call or send an email to your Congressperson asking him or her to co-sponsor the bill. Please also, take a peek at the list of Congresscritters below - these are people targeted by Consumers Union who we'd like to see co-sponsor the bill. If you have a moment, please choose a few of those on the list and give them a call.
A suggested phone script is also below. To reach the capital switchboard, call 202 225-3121 or one of the toll-free numbers below.
1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
1 (800) 459 - 1887
Suggested Phone Script
Hello,
My name is ________ and I was hoping to speak to Representative XXXX.
(If not available)
Great will you pass on a message?
I was calling to ask the Representative to please co-sponsor Representative DeLauro’s Food Safety Modernization Act –HR 7143.
After 500 people have gotten sick and 8 have died from salmonella in peanut butter, we need much stronger food safety regulation. (if you have a personal story or connection please put it in here)
The DeLauro bill will require FDA to inspect all food processors at least once a year, including plants like the one in Georgia that is making everyone sick. The bill also includes many other needed reforms. Please co-sponsor it.
To cosponsor the Food Safety Modernization Act, or for more information, please contact Brian Ronholm in Rosa DeLauro's office (x53661 or brian.ronholm at mail.house.gov).
Thank you.
Representatives to call
Marion Berry
Mike Ross
Anna Eshoo
Mike Honda
Barbara Lee
Lucille Roybal Allard
Lois Capps
Jane Harman
Doris Matsui
Jerry McNerney
Bob Filner
Chris Murphy
Kathy Castor
John Barrow
Bruce Braley
Bobby Rush
Baron Hill
Charlie Melancon
John Olver
Edward Markey
John Sarbanes
Betty McCollum
G.K. Butterfield
Gary Ackerman
Maurice Hinchey
Nita Lowey
Louise Slaughter
Eliot Engel
Anthony Weiner
Marcy Kaptur
Tim Ryan
Zachary Space
Michael Doyle
Bart Gordon
Gene Green
Charles Gonzalez
Jim Matheson
Rick Boucher
Donna Christensen
Peter Welch
Brian Baird
Jay Inslee
Tammy Baldwin
Ron Kind
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Off-topic note: If you want to affect change (and reform!) at the USDA as well as the FDA, NOW is the time to do so. Please call or email the Senators on the Ag Committee and ask them to support Chuck Hassebrook for Deputy USDA Secretary. He is the only candidate for the job who is a real reformer. Ag Committee members are as follows:
Chair: Tom Harkin (D-IA)
- Max Baucus (D-MT)
- Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
- Bob Casey (D-PA)
- Kent Conrad (D-ND)
- Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Pat Leahy (D-VT)
- Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
- Ben Nelson (D-NE)
- Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
- Thad Cochran (R-MS)
- Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
- Mike Johanns (R-NE)
- Dick Lugar (R-IN)
- Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Pat Roberts (R-KS)
- John R. Thune (R-SD)