DeLauro Statement on Food Safety Discussions from the U.S. – China Strategic Economic Dialogue

Statement

DeLauro Statement on Food Safety Discussions from the U.S. - China Strategic Economic Dialogue

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement about the actions requested of the Chinese government by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) parent agency - to address food safety concerns.

"It is quite telling that on the day the FDA recalls contaminated monkfish imported from China and announces that it will investigate whether toxic toothpaste has been imported from China, the Bush Administration fails to take an advantage of an opportunity to protect the American consumer from unsafe foods and products.

"During this week's Strategic Economic Dialogue, the administration could have taken concrete steps to improve the dreadful food safety situation in China that is beset by tainted products, unsanitary food processors, and illegal smuggling. Instead it effectively minimized the problem by issuing a non-binding request to the Chinese for what would be considered pertinent information. Additionally, USDA also requested China to elevate a non-binding, and wholly-inadequate Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to a legally binding document.

"When the administration fails its responsibilities, it is up to Congress to act, and I intend to pursue any actions necessary in the Agriculture Appropriations bill to address this food safety crisis."

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