Here is an exerpt from an atricle at the Washington Post on the Delay of the Food Safety Act that you should read carefully –
“Dingell wrote the House bill, which would grant vast new authorities to the Food and Drug Administration and mark the first serious reform of food safety laws in 70 years. The measure was headed for easy passage in Senate until the spring, when Feinstein said she wanted to add language that would ban a controversial chemical, bisphenol A or BPA, from food packaging.
Feinstein’s BPA proposal won applause from some public health groups but sparked immediate protest from the chemical industry, food manufacturers and major business interests, who pledged to withdraw their support for the bill if it included a ban on BPA.
BPA has been linked in animal studies to cancer, reproductive problems and other disorders. The chemical has been used in commercial products since the 1950s and is found in thousands of items from sunglasses to compact discs. But researchers are most concerned about BPA in food packaging because it is found to leach from the packaging into food and beverages. BPA has been detected in the urine of 93 percent of the U.S. population, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some scientists believe that BPA, a synthetic form of estrogen, could affect the endocrine system and disrupt child development.
Did you notice anything odd here? OK, I bolded it to give you a clue…
Big industry will withdraw thier support of the bill?
Excuse me?
Who is running this country?
It is big industry’s job to follow the rules – not make them. At least that’s what I remember from high school social studies. Seems to me the government is supposed to by by the people, for the people. Anyone remember that line?
The history of the house bill that passed last year is interesting too –
From GovTrack.us –
Jul 29, 2009: This bill failed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote. The vote was held under a suspension of the rules to cut debate short and pass the bill, needing a two-thirds majority. This usually occurs for non-controversial legislation. The totals were 280 Ayes, 150 Nays, 3 Present/Not Voting. Vote Details.
Jul 30, 2009: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote. The totals were 283 Ayes, 142 Nays, 8 Present/Not Voting. Vote Details.
Despite Dr. Rima’s rantings, the house bill (which is HR 2749, not HR 1279) doesn’t look all that terrible. It does exempt individuals, farmers, and fishermen. I’m not sure how they separate small commercial farms from industrial farms, or just where they draw the line. I haven’t read the entire bill.
I still think you should take the time to let your Senators know that you are concerned. I know Dr. Rima’s style is a bit overboard, but she is on a mission! You can’t deny that. And it is absolutely true that if Congress doesn’t think we’re watching, they will quietly pass whatever big industry wants. We have to let them know we’re watching.
The House Bill requires the FDA to determine the safety standards. If they do as well with food as they have with drugs, we’re in trouble.
This is not to say that the food safety system doesn’t need to be overhauled. It does. But to hand our food safety over to the FDA who has a corrupt history and supports big industry first, and our health last is not a very good idea, don’t you agree?
And the FDA’s preferred methods of making food safe will only further decrease the nutrient value. And as you saw above, the commerical industries will have too much say in how that is accomplished.
At least at this point, our right to buy locally grown and/or raised food seems to be preserved. I don’t trust the commercial food or drug industries, or our agencies that regulate them. I want my right to not consume them, to be able to buy my food from local farmers, or grow it myself to be protected. I really am a Rebel With a Fork 😉
And yes, BPA should be banned!
So should GMO’s.
The FDA should be dismantled and a new agency formed that actually does the job of protecting us. Let those high paid scientists tell us what they really think instead of the FDA gagging them.
If big industry doesn’t like the fact that they have to stop killing us – that’s tough!
Just my 2 cents…
Has any of this changed the way you shop or eat?
Have you taken any ‘mouse warrior’ action on these bills?
Do you find the timing of the egg crisis to be a little suspect? Oh, don’t look so shocked. Wouldn’t be the first time. Watch how fast this bill moves now.