SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Fearing a stranglehold on Illinois producers, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich is urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to vote against the proposed National Uniformity of Foods Act.

The proposal, also known as Senate Bill 3128, would require stronger regulations than that of the state and the Governor fears it will threaten food safety programs and the ability to respond quickly.

“I am deeply concerned about how this bill and its companion, H.R. 4167, will impact our ability to make sure the food supply in Illinois is safe – especially in light of the deadly E. coli outbreak announced last week,” Blagojevich wrote in his letter to the Committee.

“While the legislation may be designed to create national uniform food safety warning notification requirements, I believe it will ultimately hinder our ability to protect our state’s food supply, and hinder our ability to respond quickly to local food safety concerns.”

Blagojevich told of a story from 2002 when 40 Illinois school children became sick after eating what appeared to be ammonia-contaminated chicken. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued the necessary embargos, and the product was removed from the schools so no other children became ill.

“The legislation under consideration would have prevented our state health department from taking immediate action in a situation like this,” he said.

The recent E. coli outbreak has resulted in 175 people in 25 states becoming ill by contaminated spinach. The IDPH confirmed the first case of E. coli O157:H7 in Illinois on Sept. 18.

Blagojevich said, “(On Sept. 21), I urged Illinois grocery stores and restaurants to continue to take every precaution to protect children, seniors and families from E. coli contamination and take spinach off their shelves and menus until we know for sure that the products are safe.”

IDPH Director Eric Whitaker said, “The charge of the state health department and its local partners is to ensure the safety of the food supply and protect the public’s health. In order to accomplish these goals, the state must retain its authority to respond to contaminated and adulterated products without the added burden and delay of seeking federal permission before taking action.”

Illinois Ag Director Chuck Hartke also backed Blagojevich’s position. “It is critical not to hinder our ability to ensure food safety in Illinois,” Hartke said. “Illinois is a leader in food production, and it is imperative that our inspectors are able to do their jobs to make sure that food gets from the farm to the grocery store to your table safely.”

This farm news was published in the Sept. 27, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.