FDA to Add Melamine to Food Pyramid

Statement

FDA to Add Melamine to Food Pyramid

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), chairwoman of the Agriculture - Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement about the FDA's announcement that, despite potential harm to the kidneys, some melamine would not raise health concerns.

"While other countries throughout the world, including the European Union, are acting to ban melamine-contaminated products from China, the FDA has chosen to establish an acceptable level for melamine in food in an attempt to convince consumers that it is not harmful. Not only is this is an insult to consumers, but it would appear that the FDA is condoning the intentional contamination of foods.

"By not insisting on a zero-tolerance policy with melamine, the FDA is failing to protect consumers, and the agency is undercutting the hard work being done on the state level. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection was one of the first state agencies to discover the presence of melamine in candy on store shelves in the U.S. Because of its quick action, they were able to immediately remove potentially harmful candy from stores. This announcement by the FDA essentially tells the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection that their work was for naught. I would be very interested in learning from the agency about the detailed scientific data it used to justify this action and intend to press the FDA for this information.

"Once again, the FDA is failing to act to increase inspections and remove contaminated products from store shelves. And once again, the FDA is demonstrating that the Congress has significant work ahead if it is to pass legislation that reforms the food safety system and changes the culture at an agency that is failing to protect the public from potential health risks."

Source