New Session Of Congress

[soul04]

Anyone know exactly what some memebers of congress are proposing for new food labeling regulations? e.g. Are there any examples of what a new label would look like? What do you all want for labels? The gluten-free icon? Proper wording? Also, are there icons for other allergies? e.g. yeast or eggs or dairy or ..?

Sorry for asking a lot in this thread. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

[judy04]

I would like to see ingredients printed in larger letters and on a white background.

The labels shoud have warnings ie contains gluten or peanuts.This is like living in the dark ages, why should we have to contact the manufacturers, whydo the children have to suffer because "mom" hasn't had a course in Chemistry!Why isn't the FDA doing more to help us??If they can put labels on beer and cigarettes, why not on labels containing food.When I hear about the children suffering I get so angry, I wish that there was more that I can do.

Judy

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I agree with the labeling thing. It doens't have to be large print or anything but clearly labled gluetn free or not!

[angel-jd1]

Here is the actual text from part of the bill that is in congress NOW!!

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements with respect to allergenic substances in foods, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 8, 2003

Mrs. LOWEY for herself, Mr. GREENWOOD, Mr. LATOURETTE, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. HOEFFEL, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. HINCHEY, Ms. NORTON, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, and Mr. WAXMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A BILL

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish labeling requirements with respect to allergenic substances in foods, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1 ) it is estimated that--

(A ) approximately 2 percent of adults and about 5 percent of infants and young children in the United States suffer from food allergies; and

(B ) each year, roughly 30,000 individuals require emergency room treatment and 150 individuals die because of allergic reactions to food;

(2 ) (A) eight major foods or food groups--milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans--account for 90 percent of food allergies;

(B ) at present, there is no cure for food allergies; and

(C ) a food allergic consumer must avoid the food to which the consumer is allergic;

(3 ) (A) in a review of the foods of randomly selected manufacturers of baked goods, ice cream, and candy in Minnesota and Wisconsin in 1999, the Food and Drug Administration found that 25 percent of sampled foods failed to list peanuts or eggs as ingredients on the food labels; and

(B ) nationally, the number of recalls because of unlabeled allergens rose to 121 in 2000 from about 35 a decade earlier;

(4) a recent study shows that many parents of children with a food allergy were unable to correctly identify in each of several food labels the ingredients derived from major food allergens;

(5 )(A) ingredients in foods must be listed by their `common or usual name';

(B ) in some cases, the common or usual name of an ingredient may be unfamiliar to consumers, and many consumers may not realize the ingredient is derived from, or contains, a major food allergen; and

© in other cases, the ingredients may be declared as a class, including spices, flavorings, and certain colorings, or are exempt from the ingredient labeling requirements, such as incidental additives; and

(6)(A) celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease that causes damage to the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and other organs;

(B ) the current recommended treatment is avoidance of glutens in foods that are associated with celiac disease; and

(C ) a multicenter, multiyear study estimated that the prevalence of celiac disease in the United States is 0.5 to 1 percent of the general population.

SEC. 3. FOOD LABELING; REQUIREMENT OF INFORMATION REGARDING ALLERGENIC SUBSTANCES.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(w)(1) If it is not a raw agricultural commodity and it is, or it contains an ingredient that bears or contains, a major food allergen, unless either--

`(A) the word `Contains', followed by the name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived, is printed immediately after or is adjacent to the list of ingredients (in a type size no smaller than the type size used in the list of ingredients) required under subsections (g) and (i); or

`(B ) the common or usual name of the major food allergen in the list of ingredients required under subsections (g) and (i) is followed in parentheses by the name of the food source from which

the major food allergen is derived, except that the name of the food source is not required when--

`(i) the common or usual name of the ingredient uses the name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived; or

`(ii ) the name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived appears elsewhere in the ingredient list, unless the name of the food source appears elsewhere in the ingredient list only in the common or usual name of foods that are food ingredients that are not major food allergens under section 201(qq)(2)(A) or (B ).

`(2 ) As used in this subsection, the term `name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived' means the name described in section 201(qq)(1); provided that in the case of a tree nut, fish, or Crustacean shellfish, the term `name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived' means the name of the specific type of nut or species of fish or Crustacean shellfish.

`(3) The information required under this subsection may appear in labeling in lieu of appearing on the label only if the Secretary finds that such other labeling is sufficient to protect the public health. A finding by the Secretary under this paragraph (including any change in an earlier finding under this paragraph) is effective upon publication in the Federal Register as a notice.

`(4) Notwithstanding subsection (g), (i), or (k), or any other law, a flavoring, coloring, or incidental additive that is, or that bears or contains, a major food allergen shall be subject to the labeling requirements of this subsection.

`(5) The Secretary may by regulation modify the requirements of subparagraph (A ) or (B ) of paragraph (1), or eliminate either the requirement of subparagraph (A ) or the requirements of subparagraph ( of paragraph (1), if the Secretary determines that the modification or elimination of the requirement of subparagraph (A) or the requirements of subparagraph ( is necessary to protect the public health.

`(6 )(A ) Any person may petition the Secretary to exempt a food ingredient described in section 201(qq)(2) from the allergen labeling requirements of this subsection.

`(B ) The Secretary shall approve or deny such petition within 180 days of receipt of the petition or the petition shall be deemed denied, unless an extension of time is mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the petitioner.

`(C ) The burden shall be on the petitioner to provide scientific evidence (including the analytical method used to produce the evidence) that demonstrates that such food ingredient, as derived by the method specified in the petition, does not cause an allergic response that poses a risk to human health.

`(D ) A determination regarding a petition under this paragraph shall constitute final agency action.

`(E) The Secretary shall promptly post to a public site all petitions received under this paragraph within 14 days of receipt and the Secretary shall promptly post the Secretary's response to each.

`(7 )(A ) A person need not file a petition under paragraph (6) to exempt a food ingredient described in section 201(qq)(2) from the allergen labeling requirements of this subsection, if the person files with the Secretary a notification containing--

`(i ) scientific evidence (including the analytical method used) that demonstrates that the food ingredient (as derived by the method specified in the notification, where applicable) does not contain allergenic protein; or

`(ii ) a determination by the Secretary that the ingredient does not cause an allergic response that poses a risk to human health under a premarket approval or notification program under section 409.

`(B ) The food ingredient may be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce as a food ingredient that is not a major food allergen 90 days after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary, unless the Secretary determines within the 90-day period that the notification does not meet the requirements of this paragraph, or there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine that the food ingredient does not contain allergenic protein or does not cause an allergenic response that poses a risk to human health.

`(C ) The Secretary shall promptly post to a public site a list of all notifications received under this subparagraph within 14 days of receipt and promptly post any objections thereto by the Secretary.

`(x) Notwithstanding subsection (g), (i), or (k), or any other law, a spice, flavoring, coloring, or incidental additive that is, or that bears or contains, a food allergen (other than a major food allergen), as determined by the Secretary by regulation, shall be disclosed in a manner specified by the Secretary by regulation.'.

(b ) EFFECT ON OTHER AUTHORITY- The amendments made by this section that require a label or labeling for major food allergens do not alter the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) to require a label or labeling for other food allergens.

(c ) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-

(1 ) Section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321) (as amended by section 2(b )) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(qq) The term `major food allergen' means any of the following:

`(1) Milk, egg, fish (e.g., bass, flounder, or cod), Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, or shrimp), tree nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, or walnuts), wheat, peanuts, and soybeans.

`(2) A food ingredient that contains protein derived from a food specified in paragraph (1), except the following:

`(A ) Any highly refined oil derived from a food specified in paragraph (1) and any ingredient derived from such highly refined oil.

`(B ) A food ingredient that is exempt under paragraph (6) or (7) of section 403(w).'.

(2) Section 403A(a)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343-1(a)(2)) is

amended by striking `or 403(i)(2)' and inserting `403(i)(2), 403(w), or 403(x)'.

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall apply to any food that is labeled on or after January 1, 2006.

SEC. 4. REPORT ON FOOD ALLERGENS.

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the `Secretary') shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that--

(1)(A) analyzes--

(i) the ways in which foods, during manufacturing and processing, are unintentionally contaminated with major food allergens, including contamination caused by the use by manufacturers of the same production line to produce both products for which major food allergens are intentional ingredients and products for which major food allergens are not intentional ingredients; and

(ii) the ways in which foods produced on dedicated production lines are unintentionally contaminated with major food allergens; and

(B ) estimates how common the practices described in subparagraph (A) are in the food industry, with breakdowns by food type as appropriate;

(2) advises whether good manufacturing practices or other methods can be used to reduce or eliminate cross-contact of foods with the major food allergens;

(3) describes--

(A ) the various types of advisory labeling (such as labeling that uses the words `may contain') used by food producers;

(B ) the conditions of manufacture of food that are associated with the various types of advisory labeling; and

(C ) the extent to which advisory labels are being used on food products;

(4 ) describes how consumers with food allergies or the caretakers of consumers would prefer that information about the risk of cross-contact be communicated on food labels as determined by using appropriate survey mechanisms;

(5 ) states the number of inspections of food manufacturing and processing facilities conducted in the previous 2 years and describes--

(A ) the number of facilities and food labels that were found to be in compliance or out of compliance with respect to cross-contact of foods with residues of major food allergens and the proper labeling of major food allergens;

(B ) the nature of the violations found; and

(C ) the number of voluntary recalls, and their classifications, of foods containing undeclared major food allergens; and

(6 ) assesses the extent to which the Secretary and the food industry have effectively addressed cross-contact issues.

SEC. 5. INSPECTIONS RELATING TO FOOD ALLERGENS.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct inspections consistent with the authority under section 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 374) of facilities in which foods are manufactured, processed, packed, or held--

(1 ) to ensure that the entities operating the facilities comply with practices to reduce or eliminate cross-contact of a food with residues of major food allergens that are not intentional ingredients of the food; and

(2 ) to ensure that major food allergens are properly labeled on foods.

SEC. 6. GLUTEN LABELING.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with appropriate experts and stakeholders, shall issue a proposed rule to define, and permit use of, the term `gluten-free' on the labeling of foods. Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule to define, and permit use of, the term `gluten-free' on the labeling of foods.

SEC. 7. IMPROVEMENT AND PUBLICATION OF DATA ON FOOD-RELATED ALLERGIC RESPONSES.

(a ) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall improve (including by educating physicians and other health care providers) the collection of, and publish as it becomes available, national data on--

(1 ) the prevalence of food allergies;

(2) the incidence of clinically significant or serious adverse events related to food allergies; and

(3) the use of different modes of treatment for and prevention of allergic responses to foods.

(b ) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary.

SEC. 8. FOOD ALLERGIES RESEARCH.

(a ) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall convene an ad hoc panel of nationally recognized experts in allergy and immunology to review current basic and clinical research efforts related to food allergies.

(b ) RECOMMENDATIONS- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the panel shall make recommendations to the Secretary for enhancing and coordinating research activities concerning food allergies, which the Secretary shall make public.

SEC. 9. FOOD ALLERGENS IN THE FOOD CODE.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, in the Conference for Food Protection, as part of its efforts to encourage cooperative activities between the States under section 311 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243), pursue revision of the Food Code to provide guidelines for preparing allergen-free foods in food establishments, including in restaurants, grocery store delicatessens and bakeries, and elementary and secondary school cafeterias. The Secretary shall consider guidelines and recommendations developed by public and private entities for public and private food establishments for preparing allergen-free foods in pursuing this revision.

SEC. 10. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING RESPONDING TO FOOD-RELATED ALLERGIC RESPONSES

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, in providing technical assistance relating to trauma care and emergency medical services to State and local agencies under section 1202(b )(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-2(b )(3)), include technical assistance relating to the use of different modes of treatment for and prevention of allergic responses to foods.

[soul04]

Wow. That's a lot to read! I think I'll copy and paste it to a word doc and digest it all soon. I can't wait to hear how it is treated in this session of congress!

[Lily]

Great info! Thanks Jessica!!!!

[tammy]

Will contacting our local Congressman have an impact on the Food and Drug bill?

[polishmafia]

tammy,

contacting them and letting them know how you feel is never a bad thing. they are there to serve the people, and they need to know what the people need. i say, write or call as soon as you can.

[celiac3270]

I would like to see ingredients printed in larger letters and on a white background.

The labels shoud have warnings ie contains gluten or peanuts.This is like living in the dark ages, why should we have to contact the manufacturers, whydo the children have to suffer because "mom" hasn't had a course in Chemistry!Why isn't the FDA doing more to help us??If they can put labels on beer and cigarettes, why not on labels containing food.When I hear about the children suffering I get so angry, I wish that there was more that I can do.

Judy

Nicely put...I concur...if 1 in 150 have celiac disease, it's ridiculous that you need to call all the companies. I think that the companies should have to specify -- on the label -- whether or not their products have gluten...or at least make their natural/artificial flavors a little clearer....after all, if it weren't for this board, we'd literally have to call the company of every product that passes through our lips; everything has flavorings....oops, I'm starting to ramble. A simple "gluten-free" or "Contains Gluten" would be nice for the 1 in 150 Americans that have this. As for the companies being allowed to run out their labels just because of the cost...don't even get me started on that.

-C

[Boojca]

I'm with Judy and celiac3270. The more I read about this (and I've only been doing this for less than a month) the more I start to think THIS is more the norm than non-gluten-free!!! It seems like every time I bring it up someone else says 'Oh, I have that" or "Oh, my friend, neighbor, coworker, etc... has that"...it's AMAZING. Why it's sooo hard for these companies to just clearly lable or even better SAY gluten-free or gluten-free is beyond me. If they go to the trouble of printing their labels with clear ingredeints, would it be easier (and save space) to just print "gluten-free" on it??? Seems like a no-brainer to me. But, then again, that's why I'm not a corporate big-wig. I have too much sense! ;-)

Bridget

[celiac3270]

The more I read about this (and I've only been doing this for less than a month) the more I start to think THIS is more the norm than non-gluten-free!!! It seems like every time I bring it up someone else says 'Oh, I have that" or "Oh, my friend, neighbor, coworker, etc... has that"...it's AMAZING.

I know....at my school, which consists of maybe...340 kids, there are three Celiacs (including myself). One is three years younger than me, one a year older than me. The younger one's mother has Celiac. Plus, my computer teacher's wife's mother has Celiac...it seems like everyone knows somebody who has it...and yet nobody knows what it is....pathetic.

-celiac3270