Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments in response to reports of heightened fraud in the U.S. food supply. Congressman Dingell is the author of H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act. H.R. 2749 passed the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009 by a vote of 283-142. Similar legislation is currently stalled in the U.S. Senate:
“The story reported by the Washington Post today provides more evidence of an Agency plagued with insufficient authorities and resources to ensure the quality and safety of the U.S. food supply. As I have said time and time again, an ill-equipped FDA endangers American families and harms the financial viability of American business. Until the Senate acts, more and more Americans are in danger due to unsafe food and deceptive labeling. We can gamble with the lives of the American people no longer.
“Now that we have successfully addressed health insurance reform, we must turn to the other critical public health crisis – the safety of our food supply. I urge the Senate to take action after the spring recess.”
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