Degette Presses Food Chiefs on Safety of Products

Press Release

As questions remain about the safety of our food supply, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) submitted the following opening statement into the record at today's Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing entitled, "Regulatory Failure: Must America Live with Unsafe Food?"

Below are Ms. DeGette's opening remarks submitted into the record:

"I want to applaud you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today, and for the comprehensive investigation into food safety throughout your tenure as Chair of this subcommittee. Nothing is more important than the safety of our food.

"Today we continue our efforts to see what the private sector can do to help ensure that the food we put on our tables each day is as safe as it can possibly be. I think we all understand that restoring the confidence of the American consumer is simply not something the government can do alone.

"Two weeks ago we heard from the CEOs of some of the largest food processors in the country, some of whom were involved in outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

"Many of us were dismayed that these CEOs, as they often do, came before us and simply apologized for the outbreaks. But our intent on this committee is not to receive apologies but to find out exactly what happened, why it happened, and what is being done to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"Several witnesses updated us on their plans to improve their internal processes for this or that product. But that's not good enough. Some of these companies have cleaned up the mess and implemented best practices following a recall, only to have yet another outbreak in a completely different product line a few months later. And then another, and then another.

"Ladies and gentlemen what we need on food safety is dramatic overhaul, not tinkering around the edges, in both the public and private sector.

"But while the testimony of these CEOs was far from adequate, I do want to applaud them for testifying in the first place. Our witness today has not been as cooperative.

"One of the fundamental roles of Congress is to conduct oversight. That oversight hinges on the ability to gather information on behalf of the American people, shine light on problems, and if necessary develop policy-based solutions.

"But, we cannot perform this function when information is being withheld. Mr. Mendell, you were contacted by this committee on numerous occasions to request that you appear before us.

"Just last month, your company was involved in the biggest meat recall in the history of this nation, after shocking undercover video footage at your plant was released.

"Your company acted responsibly and ordered a recall, but that is not the end of the story. The American people have the right to know what happened.

"As you know, this committee has been looking into cracks in the food safety system for quite some time now. I would think that the biggest recall in history is something that we should investigate further.

"But when this committee tried to invite you to testify, we did not hear back. In fact after 15 phone calls, we did not get a response from you, your counsel, or your company.

"We were forced to issue a subpoena to compel your testimony this morning. I hope you will be more cooperative with us today so we can get to the bottom of this.

"One of the things I hope you are forthcoming about is your company's system of tracing the meat products you sold. We have all heard the media reports that some of the recalled meat was sent to schools around the country, including to Jefferson County Schools near my district in Colorado. There are also reports that meat was sent to large wholesalers and retailers, who presumably distribute across the country.

"The fact is, we can never really know where all of the meat was sent because there is no effective traceability system in place in the United States.

"For years I have introduced legislation, H.R. 3485, to set up a system to trace food products from the farm to the fork. Right now there is no quick, reliable way to find out where food was produced and to where it has been sent.

"In the event of an outbreak of illness, or in this case, the introduction of sick cattle into the food supply, a traceability system would allow us to quickly identify the source, inform businesses along the supply chain, cease distribution of other tainted products, and notify potential consumers and business owners who may have this food in their homes, restaurants, and on their store shelves.

"Some companies already have an effective tracing system; indeed advances in technology make it achievable and cost effective nationwide.

"In addition to traceback, I'd like to ask the USDA and FDA about another piece of legislation I've sponsored, that would give them each the ability to recall tainted food, an authority they lack right now.

"In this case, it seems that Westland/Hallmark issued a recall immediately upon seeing the video we witnessed today, showing irrefutable and sickening evidence of its employees not only mistreating sick animals, but putting them into the nation's food supply.

"Would a voluntary recall have occurred without such convincing evidence? I think the government should have the authority to act in the case that a company does not act quickly enough.

"Obviously we should focus our efforts on preventing contamination in the first place, but we also need to have better procedures in place to deal with an outbreak, especially with regards to recalling and tracing food products."

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