By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It may seem that wording included in the Food Safety Modernization Act (U.S. House Resolution 875) would punish those who produce and sell safe foods – such as farmer’s markets and roadside vegetable stands – by forcing them to register, be subject to federal inspections and maintain safety records related to food production or face fines.

According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), however, it has been assured the language in the bill is intended only for regulation and inspection of large food growers and processors.
Many involved in farmers’ markets or community supported agriculture (CSA) are concerned how much it would cost to register for a new federal food safety program and fines described in the bill as up to $1 million per violation. Internet discussion about the alleged “demise of the farmers’ market” has helped fan the flames since shortly after the bill was introduced by Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-Conn.) on Feb. 4.

The measure had been referred to the House Agriculture Committee as of press time; Congress returned to session May 18.
Liz Friedlander, director of communications for the NFU, said the organization has not yet endorsed H.R. 875 or any other food safety bill currently before Congress. However, it does not feel the bill will threaten the livelihoods of farmers’ markets or any other small facilities that process food or hold, store or transport food.

“Our legislative staff has met with Representative DeLauro’s office to talk about (H.R. 875) and to clear up any confusion, specifically rumors about banning backyard gardens, organic production, farmers markets, et cetera,” Friedlander wrote in an e-mail. “After the meeting, we’re confident the bill would not do any of those things.”

Organic farmers have been nervously monitoring the bill’s progress through Internet blogs and other social media. Critics point to a conflict of interest in that DeLauro’s husband, Stanley Greenburg, works for Monsanto. As the world’s biggest producer of herbicides and genetically engineered seeds, Monsanto would benefit from the demise of organic growers and farmers’ markets since organic growers do not use Monsanto’s products, critics of the bill allege.
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 is described in GovTrack.us as such: “To establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services, to protect the public by preventing foodborne illnesses, ensuring the safety of food, improving research on contaminants leading to foodborne illness and improving security of food from international contamination, and other purposes.”

Section 3 of H.R. 875 describes a “food production facility” as any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility or confined animal feeding operation. All food production facilities would be subject to the new regulations.

Taking initiative

In related news, the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) issued a news release last week outlining three “private sector” initiatives that the United States’ largest grocers’ association said will bolster food safety. GMA President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey’s press release seemed to endorse elements of H.R. 875, but she said the food industry is ultimately responsible for the safety of its products.
“We are pleased by the commitment of Congress and the Obama administration to enact food safety reforms and strengthen FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) food safety capabilities. Combined with quick enactment of the necessary legislative and regulatory reforms, these initiatives should significantly reduce the number and type of food recalls we have seen in recent years and strengthen our overall food safety system,” stated Bailey.

Product recall modernization, accredited third-party safety audit certification and modernization and implementation of good manufacturing practices and the key elements of GMA’s plan to tighten up food safety loopholes without government intervention. The initiatives are outlined in “Partnership and Planning: Supply Chain Initiatives to Improve Food Safety” by clicking on “Food Safety” at GMA’s website www.gmaonline.org/publicpolicy

“In addition, we are developing enhanced food safety education and training for member and non-member companies, assessing our crisis management capability and expanding our ability to communicate directly with consumers during product recalls,” Bailey said. “We are working with stakeholders from the entire supply chain to develop comprehensive and meaningful food safety solutions that will improve food safety and consumer confidence.”