One Size Does Not Fit All When Considering Food Safety Bills

Local foods businesses are not the same as animal factories or mega-farms that sell products into industrial-scale national and international markets

H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, is a well-meaning attempt to address the problems of contamination from food borne pathogens and complications in prevention and intervention caused by large, industrialized food distribution systems.

All of the well-publicized incidents of contamination in recent years – spinach, peppers, peanuts, hamburger – occurred in industrialized food supply chains that span national and even international boundaries.

Food safety is a priority shared by all. It is not compromised by the growing trend toward healthy, fresh, locally sourced vegetables, meats, fruits, and small processing firms reinvigorating local food systems. Local food systems are inherently safer and traceable.

H.R. 2749 needs to draw a clear line between small local processors and direct market growers selling locally on the one side and the industrial, multi-sourced food supply chains where food borne pathogens have appeared and created problems on the other side.

Call or email your Representative today. Ask him or her to contact Representatives Dingell and Waxman and urge them to support language in the Managers Report to the House on H.R. 2749 that

1. Draws a bright line definition around small local food system producers and processors.
   
2. Ensures that fledgling local food producers and processors are not saddled by excessive registration, fees, and recording-keeping requirements.
   

Sample telephone call

I calling to ask Representative _________ to contact Representatives Dingell and Waxman to urge them to support language in the Managers Report to the House on the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 7249, that

1. Draws a bright line definition around small local food system producers and processors.
   
2. Ensures that fledgling local food producers and processors are not saddled by excessive registration, fees, and recording-keeping requirements.
   

H.R. 2749 needs to draw a clear line between small local processors and direct market growers selling locally on the one side and the industrial, multi-sourced food supply chains where food borne pathogens have appeared and created problems on the other side.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.