National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005

NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - March 02, 2006)

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise today in support of H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act. If enacted, this important legislation would set much-needed national standards for food safety and put an end to the confusing and often contradictory standards that exist across many States.

This is important, given that consumers have a right to expect the same scientifically based safety standards everywhere in the United States. By establishing a single national system based on comprehensive, science-based standards, consumers and businesses will be clear about what is safe, what is permissible, and what needs to be labeled. This is an opportunity to bolster consumer confidence.

The legislation would ensure that the FDA incorporates the best safety and warning practices of States, and allows States to continue to carry out sanitation inspections and enforcement. It would also create a process by which States can petition the FDA to adopt their own regulations as the national standard or to seek an exemption from national uniformity. A State's requirements would remain in effect while the FDA considers the State's petition. And where no Federal requirement exists, States could proceed pursuant to their own standards.

H.R. 4167 is good, commonsense legislation. It is greatly needed, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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