Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following opening statement this morning at the Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing titled “How Do We Fix Our Ailing Food Safety System?”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today’s hearing on the adequacy of our food safety system.  While food safety has long been a concern of mine, current events make today’s hearing very timely and necessary.

“We have a major problem on our hands relating to the safety of our food supply.  The Government Accountability Office recognized this when they designated the federal oversight of food safety as a high risk area for the first time in 2007.

• FDA is responsible of regulating about 80% of the food supply, but accounted for only about 24% of expenditures.
• Each year, 76 million people contract a foodborne illness in the United States.
• About 325,000 require hospitalization
• About 5,000 die according to CDC. 

“More specifically, in the last 2 years, we have had issues of melamine in infant formula; tainted peppers from Mexico; harmful seafood from China; and E. coli in spinach.

“Unfortunately, the theme of a failed food safety system has not ceded.  We currently find ourselves in the midst of quite possibly the largest food recall in history.  FDA is now wrestling with a foodborne illness outbreak associated with Salmonella, which has been found in peanut products produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).  Because of the outright negligence of this company, more than 2,100 products, from ice cream to dog food, have been recalled; more than 680 people in 46 states have been sickened; and 9 people have died.  And it is not over yet.

“What we have found, in this instance and the many instances before, is that FDA’s funding is woefully inadequate and their authorities are outdated.  They have proven to be incapable of protecting our food supply as a result.  I commend the President for recognizing the inadequacy of FDA’s resources and proposing increased funding for food safety activities in his budget message. 

“However, my experience in the Congress has shown me that the only way to adequately address the issue of resources is by ensuring a steady, predictable revenue stream for FDA.  I propose to do this by establishing a registration fee for manufacturers.  This is the only way we can make sure FDA has long term money to hire and train an experienced cadre of inspectors; make meaningful upgrades to the IT systems; and develop a strong science base to adequately address the issues. 

“In addition to the issue of resources, we must also address the issue of authorities.  It is shameful that FDA does not have authority to mandate recalls; require manufacturers to identify and develop plans to mitigate hazards before they occur; access food safety records without delay; and appropriately trace the origin of tainted products.

“Mr. Chairman, you and I, along with Chairman Stupak, have an appropriate solution to our food safety problems—that is H.R. 759.  This piece of legislation addresses all of these issues, and would certainly solve the predicament in which we find FDA.

“For far too long, the food industry has been given free reign and has essentially been able to regulate themselves.  As a result, many Americans have died or become sick.  I see a parallel.  The Congress is also working to address the mess left behind by another industry that has been allowed to self-regulate—the banks.  We clearly see the result of this.

“While I look forward to the testimony of our witnesses today, I urge the consideration of the carefully crafted legislation that we have spent much time on developing.  We must act now before we are faced with another food safety challenge. 

“Mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership and for your diligent attention to this matter.”