http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news/maines-food-safety-net-in-jeopardy-new-report-documents-importance-of-maines-innovative-laws PORTLAND—Just weeks after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Uniformity for Food Act, which would preempt more than 200 food safety and right-to-know laws, Environment Maine Research & Policy Center released a new report today documenting the importance of Maine’s food safety net. "Maine’s Food Safety Net: Ensuring Safe Food from Production to Consumption" highlights Maine laws that require labeling for produce treated with pesticides post-harvest, protect milk quality, and regulate food safety. “Maine has passed important innovative food safety laws to protect the health, safety, and consumer choice of Mainers,” stated Matthew Davis, Advocate for Environment Maine Research & Policy Center. “Pre-empting legislating by Congress could shred this safety net, leaving Mainers vulnerable and with less information.” Maine’s Department of Agriculture joined other state agencies on a national letter in opposition to the legislation before its vote in the House. Here in Maine, innovative laws that would be preempted include: • A fresh produce law that requires grocers and other food vendors to alert consumers to produce that has been treated post-harvest, giving consumers the right to know and power to choose non-treated fresh fruits and vegetables; • Milk safety laws that regulate the sale of milk, milk products, raw milk and raw milk products; the production, processing, labeling, storing, handling and transportation of milk and milk products; and the sanitary conditions at any dairy or other facility and in any truck or other vehicle in which milk or milk products are produced, processed, handled or transported; • Restaurant safety laws that regulate restaurants and other food establishments; and • Apple storage standards for controlled atmosphere storage facilities that lengthen the amount of time fresh, ripe apples are available for Maine consumers. “State laws that protect food safety help keep people out of hospitals and doctor's offices," said Doctor Sydney R Sewall, MD MPH, from Physicians for Social Responsibility. “There is no public health reason to justify this attempt to eliminate stricter state laws and locally led inspections.” According to a letter sent to the House of Representatives from 39 state Attorneys General opposing the bill in March, 2006, including Maine’s Attorney General Steven Rowe, state and local agencies execute more than 80% of the regulatory work required to implement these laws, and the federal government often asks for their assistance. "Food buyers can't make good decisions without accurate and informative labels. Pre-empting Maine laws on food safety isn't good for organic farmers or the public," according to Russell Libby, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. The Maine food safety standards discussed here and others are important for several reasons: • They help protect public health from food-borne illnesses and other risks by filling gaps left in federal law; • They give consumers the power to make informed choices about the food and beverages they purchase for themselves and their families; and • They help protect local industries by ensuring the safety and purity of their products. Across the country, H.R. 4167 will preempt more than 200 state laws that deal with food safety and the public’s right-to-know about toxic chemicals. Moreover, this bill would establish a system where states would be required to petition the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permission to continue to enforce their own laws. The FDA has faced a reduced capacity in recent years, and the numbers of staff employed by the agency has fallen. “Maine’s law to require labeling of post-harvest treated fruits and vegetables is an important right to know about pesticides for Mainers,” said Davis. “Sens. Snowe and Collins should pledge to oppose this bill, and work to make sure this piece of legislation moves no farther,” said Susan Sargent, Maine representative of the National Environmental Trust. “The federal government should not set a lower bar for food safety when the states have done well on their own.” Environment Maine, the sister organization of Environment Maine Research & Policy Center, applauded the leadership of Representative Thomas Allen for voting against H.R. 4167 in the House. Unfortunately, Environment Maine expressed disappointment that Representative Michael Michaud voted for its passage. http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news/maines-food-safety-net-in-jeopardy-new-report-documents-importance-of-maines-innovative-laws Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:37:27 -0500 http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news/environment-maine-announces-legislative-priorities http://www.environmentmaine.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news/environment-maine-announces-legislative-priorities Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:07:11 -0600