A Food Safety Emergency That Needs Attention NOW!
Posted April 27th, 2010 by Ariana KellyAfter way too many food recalls and contamination scares in everything from peanut butter to spinach, Congress is taking action. The U.S. Senate is about to consider a critical food safety bill that would ramp up protections against food contaminants like E.coli and salmonella. This is already an incredibly important bill for moms and families, and it is backed by unusually strong bipartisan support- but there’s even more to this story.
In addition to addressing the potential risks of accidental food contamination, the Senate is also poised to address other hidden dangers lurking inside most food cans. Specifically, the Senate could address the food packaging additive Bisphenol-A (BPA), which leaches from bottles and cans into our food and our kids, causing significant health risks. MomsRising has been working hard across the country to protect our kids from BPA exposure. Now we have a unique opportunity to include a BPA phase-out, along with these other measures for making food safer, in the Food Safety bill- and we need your help TODAY to make it happen.
Urge your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the Ban Poisonous Additives Act that will ban BPA from food and beverage containers – and then ask them to support amending it to the Food Safety Modernization Act so everyone, especially our kids, will be protected.
Getting BPA out of food and drinks is an urgent food safety issue. Effects of BPA exposure can include breast cancer, infertility, prostate cancer, early onset puberty, ADHD, and obesity. Children, whose brains and organs are constantly developing, are particularly at risk and absorb BPA at much higher rates than their parents. Early exposure puts children at risk for adult diseases later in life, including breast cancer and Alzheimer’s.
According to the CDC, 93% of Americans are contaminated with BPA and, not surprisingly, according to the National Institutes of Health, a primary source of our exposure to BPA is food. Fortunately the market has responded to consumer concern about BPA and there are safer alternatives available today. But not everyone knows about or has access to BPA-free products.
Ask your Senators to stand up for safe food for our kids by co-sponsoring the BPA Act, and support amending it to the Food Safety Modernization Act!
With all the progress we’ve made in the last few months getting the spotlight on this important issue, the timing couldn’t be better for national change. Federal action is needed right now to protect everyone in the country from BPA, and we need your help to make that happen.
Don’t forget to take a moment right now to urge your Senators to Co-Sponsor the BPA Act TODAY!
4 Comments
April 28, 2010 at 8:27 am by TimIf S. 510 passes as it is today, the vast majority of growers at farmer’s markets would fall out of business within 10 years. GAP’s and Haccp plans for every crop, when some of us grow 85 crops, would costs up to $25,000 to set up. That’s more than I make in some years. I think the bill is inevitable, but it ought to take into consideration the size of the operation, and its ability to stay in business or fail based on this bill. Senator John Tester of Montana has offered an amendment that makes exceptions for smaller producers, who sell their products locally and directly. I truly hope Tester’s Amendment passes.
As to food safety, it’s true, many farms do not take seriously the threat of cross contamination. But consider this: according a food safety expert that I met in a workshop, you are 100X more likely to get struck by lightning, than you are to get sick from your food. Is that something so dangerous that it justifies putting 80% of vegetable producers out of business? Where will more pain be generated?
Call your senator and ask them to support Tester’s Amendment. Then we can regulate those who have been part of the problem, not part of the solution.
[Reply]
A.L. Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I’m always careful when I’m told a bill is going to end (fill in the blank) as we know it. I agree that we should educate ourselves as much as possible.
Take a look at the TheDailyGreen.com for an exploration of the fears and myths surrounding the H.R. 875 bill. Make up your own mind. Read the bill yourself.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/healthy-food/organic-farming-440320604
Peace.
[Reply]
There really are two sides to every story. And while I do not agree with the brashness of the previous comment. Thorough research should be done before urging others to petition. I personally haven’t delved to far yet. But i did find this post via a craigslist post under farm and garden looking for some local gardners…it wasnt someone trying to get me to sign a petition. I personally am not sure yet what the truth behind the bill is…but I wouldnt rule this scary side out. Let us all look into it so that we dont get blindsided.
here is the link I found …
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=5205
[Reply]
April 27, 2010 at 2:11 pm by curt Linderman SrAre you people nothing but a democratic front organization?! While BPAs definately need to be addressed, this bill is nothing but a front to control our food supply by big ag (Monsanto and their GMO poisons)! Wake UP! If you’re going to claim to be supporting moms and children, you really should do your research before you ask unknowing moms to support this organization.
To those moms out there that think for themselves, this bill will severely damage your ability to get truly organic, healthy foods for your children to your dinner table!
[Reply]
Trackbacks
Leave a Comment