AFDO ASKS CONGRESS

TO BLOCK LOBBYISTS’ PLAN TO

TAKE OVER FOOD SAFETY CONTROLS

York, PA - December 5, 2005---State and local food safety officials are outraged by the pressure on Congress from multinational food conglomerates to cut back state powers in the food safety field through the recently introduced HR 4167. “We are the first responders against food terrorism threats -- why handcuff the first responders who deal with food safety issues every day?” asks Marion Aller, President of the Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO).

AFDO, a professional organization for state, local and federal food and drug regulatory officials, strongly condemns this effort to block local protection from food safety risks.  Under the guise of uniform food labeling, the craftily worded HR 4167 adds four little words “and for other purposes” - transforming this legislation into something that undermines states’ ability to protect the consumer.  Attorneys for over 10 states have reviewed this legislation and all agree that HR 4167 (previously HR 2699) will virtually stop state and locals throughout the United States from taking any action concerning food adulteration until or unless first approved by FDA.  So, when an Anthrax or other food attack occurs in the future, the first line of defense - state and local food safety teams - will be held back by the new mandate for federal control.

HR 4167 appears at the wrong time - when the local and state officials are conducting 80% of the nation’s food safety inspections, and just when the U. S. Food and Drug Administration is facing budget problems and uncertain leadership. The bill will force states to sit back, notify FDA, and then await FDA action to control against a food safety risk.  But when lives are on the line, states must be free to act. “This bill makes no sense and Congress should reject this transfer of state and local regulatory controls to an under-funded and thinly stretched FDA,” says Aller

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The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), established in 1896, successfully fosters uniformity in the adoption and enforcement of science-based food, drug, medical devices, cosmetics and product safety laws, rules, and regulations.

AFDO and its six Regional Affiliates provide the mechanism and the forum where regional, national and international issues are deliberated and resolved to uniformly provide the best public health and consumer protection in the most expeditious and cost effective manner.

“AFDO is an international leader and trusted resource for building consensus and promoting uniformity on public health and consumer protection issues related to the regulation of foods, drugs, devices, cosmetics and consumer products.”