-Caveat Lector- Industry-backed bill would nullify state food-warning laws By PHILIP BRASHER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (October 27, 2000 11:13 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - The food industry wants to use a must-pass spending bill to nullify state laws that mandate warnings on food products and dietary supplements and impose other regulations on processors. The food-regulation measure was on a list of items Thursday that Republican Senate leaders planned to attach to the last appropriations bill that Congress is expected to pass before going home for the elections. The measure, opposed by state regulatory agencies and the Clinton administration, would bar states from imposing labeling and food safety standards that are more stringent than the Food and Drug Administration's. States would have to petition FDA for exemptions from the law. "This legislation is needed so that we have a unified, common-sense system of labeling in the United States and not a patchwork quilt of states trying to usurp the authority of the FDA," said Gene Grabowski, a spokesman for the Grocery Manufacturers of America. The legislation is sponsored by at least three dozen senators, many from farm states, including Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Opponents of the legislation say it would effectively block state efforts to act in areas where FDA has been ineffective or to goad the agency to regulate products it has not. The food industry has been trying for 12 years to get out from under a California law, known as Proposition 65, that requires a warning label on all products that contain cancer-causing agents or substances that are toxic to the reproductive system. Manufacturers typically remove or alter products rather than face the negative publicity from a warning label. Because California is such a large market, whatever companies do there they are likely to do nationwide. The state used the measure to force manufacturers to reduce lead levels in calcium supplements. "The Republicans are going against the wishes of California voters with this anti-environmental rider," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. She and other Democrats opposed to the industry-backed legislation sent a letter to the White House urging President Clinton to veto any bill to which it was attached. The legislation "sends a strong signal to our states that the federal government is not interested in learning from new, innovative state ideas," the letter said. In addition to Proposition 65, the legislation also would nullify laws in at least 17 states, including California, Florida, Illinois and Texas, that allow them to set tolerances for food additives that are more stringent than FDA standards, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group opposed to the bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved the legislation in June without a hearing. The National Uniformity for Food Act is S. 1155. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ }}}> ANOMALOUS RADIO <{{{ - Techno, Ambient, Talk (33k+) http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?autostart=anomalous }}}> RADIO ANOMALY <{{{ - Techno, Ambient, Jazz (Cable, DSL) http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?autostart=stevew168 Anomalous Images and UFO Files http://www.anomalous-images.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
