Food Safety Modernization Act

[Stuman777]

The government seems to be interested in regulating the nations food industry. No surprise here, as we all know they regulate almost everything these days.

This came out March 14th 2009

President Barack Obama has said the US food safety system is a "public health hazard" and in need of an overhaul.

He sounded the warning during his weekly radio and video address, as he appointed a new head of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7943560.stm

Speaking about the above article. You may ask yourself," Why is this such a big deal?" 

Well, In February of 2009 there was a bill introduced to congress. This bill is HR 875 and it deals with food safety.  The bills title is Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009.

Here is a link to the bill itself.

Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-875

I think this bill will pass for the simple fact that Obama's just now seems to be concerned over food safety and the HR 875 bill was introduced early last month.

It seems to me this bill is another effort to stomp out the small players in the food industry and once more give power to the major players. Another Big Business and Big Government scenario.

Some people are speculating that this bill will criminalize organic and individual gardens, but I am not to sure of this. Just read the info and come to your own conclusion.

I thought it would be good to put this info up for others too take a look at and feel free expound on this issue.

[Mimi]

It will be interesting to observe how restrictive the president and congress wish to become in the name of "peace and safety" - in the broadest sense, mind you. He is throwing a very wide net on a variety of fronts. Many of his supporters are exceedingly "green" environmentally, so it would appear (on the surface) organic and gardening in general would be encouraged; however, there always looms the phrase, "for the greater good."

I suppose I should break down and actually read the bill. 

[Mimi]

Ah ... Section 202 ... everyone who produces food for public consumption must register with the government.

Above that in Section 3, Definitions, is this clause:

     (B) EXCLUSIONS- For the purposes of registration, the term ‘food establishment’ does not include a food production facility as defined in paragraph (14), restaurant, other retail food establishment, nonprofit food establishment in which food is prepared for or served directly to the consumer, or fishing vessel (other than a fishing vessel engaged in processing, as that term is defined in section 123.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations).

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

[Mimi]

Here is a benefit of the bill under Section 205: (not to say there are not others):

(1) CATEGORY 1 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS- A category 1 food establishment shall be subject to antemortem, postmortem, and continuous inspection of each slaughter line during all operating hours, and other inspection on a daily basis, sufficient to verify that--

     (A) diseased animals are not offered for slaughter;

     (B) the food establishment has successfully identified and removed from the slaughter line visibly defective or contaminated carcasses, has avoided cross-contamination, and has destroyed or reprocessed such carcasses in a manner acceptable to the Administrator; and

     (C) applicable performance standards and other provisions of the food safety law, including those intended to eliminate or reduce pathogens, have been satisfied.

If this was enforced, the majority of animals led to slaughter could not enter the food supply and the nearly all of the slaughterhouses would close. We have that on better word than the soon-to-be reorganized FDA.

BTW, the FDA's name within this new agency will changed to:

(c) Renaming and Reservation of Agency Identity- The Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services is hereby renamed the Federal Drug and Device Administration and may be referred to as ‘FDA’.

[Richard Sherwin]

So on the one hand people are not happy with the lack of government control of the food supply (safety) , but on the other hand we are fearful that the government is wanting to control the nations food supply   

[Mimi]

A balance would be nice. 

In the vein of diseased animals, most of the material shown below was written well over 100 years ago. How much worse has it become since then? Food safety is critical.

Progressive Reform


                                               (1902) 7T 135
     579. Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.  {CD 349.1}

    Flesh was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objectionable, since disease in animals is so rapidly increasing. Those who use flesh foods little know what they are eating. Often if they could see the animals when living and know the quality of the meat they eat, they would turn from it with loathing. People are continually eating flesh that is filled with tuberculous and cancerous germs. Tuberculosis, cancer, and other fatal diseases are thus communicated.  {CG 382.3}

     Effects Not Immediately Realized.--The effects of a flesh diet may not be immediately realized, but this is no evidence that it is not harmful. Few can be made to believe that it is the meat they have eaten which has poisoned their blood and caused their suffering. Many die of diseases wholly due to meat eating, while the real cause is not suspected by themselves or by others.  {CG 382.4}

     Return to the Original Wholesome Diet.--Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body? How can they take the life of God's creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them, rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning.  {CG 383.1}

     The Course of Those Awaiting Christ's Coming.-- Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us.  {CG 383.2}

     Back to God's Design.--Again and again I have been shown that God is bringing His people back to His original design, that is, not to subsist on the flesh of dead animals. He would have us teach people a better way. . . . If meat is discarded, if the taste is not educated in that direction, if a liking for fruits and grains is encouraged, it will soon be as God in the beginning designed it should be. No meat will be used by His people. {CG 383.3}

[John Erickson]

So on the one hand people are not happy with the lack of government control of the food supply (safety) , but on the other hand we are fearful that the government is wanting to control the nations food supply   

Ding ding ding ding! Why all the fear-mongering about a few jars of peanut butter (and tomatoes last year)? Are these events (whether true or manufactured) supposed to be used to make us think that our food supply isn't safe and therefore requires MORE government oversight? Hmmm? The government does this all the time in other areas, like exploiting 9/11 to usher in a host of unconstitutional measures. Also, look at the whole banking scandal. Are we not constantly told that we need more government regulation and government spending to ensure that this never happens again? This is starting to smell like yet another power grab by the feds if you ask me, but what do I know?

They are exploiting the fears of the people to clamp down in every area of life. Also, Obama has announced that he wants a cap-and-trade system. This will mean a burden on industry (and on the taxpayers) and more fascist government intervention. Energy production (and thus economic activity) will be limited and, if you base your thinking on the rhetoric out there, we humans, too, should be accessed a carbon tax since we are so evil as to breathe. What nerve we have emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere! 

[Mimi]

Whether this bill gets passed or not we know more encroachment is in our future and that of the world. We know how this will end and God is working out His purposes in ways we cannot comprehend to bring the great controversy to an end. Corruption is being exposed for what it is and sides are being drawn. We have little time to wait.

Topics such as this tend to raise our blood pressure, but "It is written ..." "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention.

God has His remedies even for this.

[LindaRS]

Another twist on the government controlling the food supply; this comes from WordNetDaily

Spokesman Bruce Hopkins of Best Prices Storable Foods told WND his company was having trouble obtaining No. 10 cans and other storable foodstuffs, in part, because the federal government was purchasing such large amounts.

"We don't know why," Hopkins said. "The feds then went to freeze dried companies and bought most of their canned stock."

A statement from one of the world's larger suppliers of food stores, Oregon Freeze Dry, also confirmed that sales of No. 10 cans had increased so significantly, the company couldn't keep up and had to remove the products from their online catalog. The company has since contacted WND to explain the shortage has been corrected and supplies are again available.

[Mimi]

Hummm ... maybe they are anticipating stockpiling for food banks for those who will need them because of the economic crisis? Is that a naive assumption?

[Richard Myers]

Here is a benefit of the bill under Section 205: (not to say there are not others):

(1) CATEGORY 1 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS- A category 1 food establishment shall be subject to antemortem, postmortem, and continuous inspection of each slaughter line during all operating hours, and other inspection on a daily basis, sufficient to verify that--

     (A) diseased animals are not offered for slaughter;

     (B) the food establishment has successfully identified and removed from the slaughter line visibly defective or contaminated carcasses, has avoided cross-contamination, and has destroyed or reprocessed such carcasses in a manner acceptable to the Administrator; and

     (C) applicable performance standards and other provisions of the food safety law, including those intended to eliminate or reduce pathogens, have been satisfied.

If this was enforced, the majority of animals led to slaughter could not enter the food supply and the nearly all of the slaughterhouses would close. We have that on better word than the soon-to-be reorganized FDA.

Another promise?  Shall we hold our breath until we see it done?  We will report when  Bovine Leukemia is no longer in milk and when each cow is tested for BSE (mad cow disease).  It is not going to happen. There is too much corruption to do this. There is too much money at risk. Better to continue to allow little ones to be made sick than to clean up the mess.  Jesus is coming soon.

[Brian M]

Ah ... Section 202 ... everyone who produces food for public consumption must register with the government.

Above that in Section 3, Definitions, is this clause:

     (B) EXCLUSIONS- For the purposes of registration, the term ‘food establishment’ does not include a food production facility as defined in paragraph (14), restaurant, other retail food establishment, nonprofit food establishment in which food is prepared for or served directly to the consumer, or fishing vessel (other than a fishing vessel engaged in processing, as that term is defined in section 123.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations).

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

It is interesting they are doing this since there is a law that has been around for a few years that already requires this, though it is not well known. I, in fact, just had to register our company because of this law. The FDA inspector informed me of it in the midst of this peanut recall. This is in addition to registering with the State Health Dept, the County Health Dept, the Organic Certifying agency (which includes registration with the USDA), and I'm sure there are others I'm not even aware we should be registered with.

The main purpose of this registration, according to the FDA inspector, is to be sure to have the name and phone number of the principals of the business. That way they can contact them at home if there is an urgent public health issue.

[Richard Sherwin]

Hmm.....I wonder how many honey producers are registered with the FDA? Food for thought. (No pun intended) And if you produce food for thought do you also fall under the guidelines of the FDA? (Sorry this heat is getting too me in the South after a long cold winter)

[Mimi]

Here is a benefit of the bill under Section 205: (not to say there are not others):

(1) CATEGORY 1 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS- A category 1 food establishment shall be subject to antemortem, postmortem, and continuous inspection of each slaughter line during all operating hours, and other inspection on a daily basis, sufficient to verify that--

     (A) diseased animals are not offered for slaughter;

     (B) the food establishment has successfully identified and removed from the slaughter line visibly defective or contaminated carcasses, has avoided cross-contamination, and has destroyed or reprocessed such carcasses in a manner acceptable to the Administrator; and

     (C) applicable performance standards and other provisions of the food safety law, including those intended to eliminate or reduce pathogens, have been satisfied.

If this was enforced, the majority of animals led to slaughter could not enter the food supply and the nearly all of the slaughterhouses would close. We have that on better word than the soon-to-be reorganized FDA.

BTW, the FDA's name within this new agency will changed to:

(c) Renaming and Reservation of Agency Identity- The Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services is hereby renamed the Federal Drug and Device Administration and may be referred to as ‘FDA’.

News with Views has an opinion on this worth reading:

http://www.newswithviews.com/NWV-News/news133.htm

[Mimi]

Suzanne posted this in the health board. Sounds as if the government is encouraging home gardens. So, what's up here?

White House Veggie Patch

This year, the vegetables served at the White House will be as locally grown as possible--some right on the South Lawn. Indeed, after a campaign by gardeners and sustainable-food activists, the first family has decided to dig up part of the White House grounds for a vegetable garden. In a recent ceremony First Lady Michelle Obama and local elementary students broke ground for the project. It is part of Michelle's promotion of healthful food for her daughters, Malia and Sasha, as well as for the nation.

More than 100,000 people have lobbied the President online to plant a garden on the White House lawn, according to Kitchen Gardeners International, a coalition of gardeners whose mission is to inspire and teach people to grow their own food. The group's Eat the View campaign to plant "high-impact gardens in high profile places" urged the first family to start an edible garden within the first 100 days of the Obama administration.

Launched in February 2008 and spearheaded by Roger Dioron, a gardener in Scarborough, Maine, the movement hoped to have the President's family set the right example in terms of healthful eating--"gardening for the great good," as Doiron said. "It begins at home," he notes. "That's where we start. And if we get a number of people together carrying out these small actions, it will speak volumes and add up."

The Clintons did have a small rooftop garden that grew vegetables and herbs and Laura Bush made sure organic foods were served in the residence. However, this is the first full-scale planting on the lawn in more than 60 years--since Eleanor Roosevelt had a victory garden during WWII.

The message is that even in these difficult economic times, when families are struggling financially psychologically, there are creative ways to put healthful food on the table, Doiron says. "Even if families can start with something small this season, they're going to come away feeling empowered. There are things that we can do, even though we feel like we are up against incredible odds." --Rebecca Cole article in the Los Angeles Times, March 20, 2009.

[Stuman777]

3/31/09

FDA: Avoid pistachios amid salmonella scare

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29963639/

Here we go again. I think the Government will keep using stories like this to help them pass the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 mentioned in above posts.

The government uses the mainstream media to scare the consumer and in return the consumer will look to the Government to take action. There was a similar incident like this which included lead paint used in toys and other items. The bill which was passed in this situation was the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. This bill enabled the government to regulate the consumer product industry even more. This included expensive testing on products before a company can market them. Making it even harder for the small business people to get by. Now that the consumer product market is regulated the politicians are now moving towards regulating the food industry and soon the whole market. Pretty soon they will be able to control what is put into the market, how much, when, why, how, and where.

[LindaRS]

This is a scary bill, and if it passes, could even subject the backyard garden to government inspection. You can read the bill here and watch a video (actually many videos) on YouTube.

Here is a bit from the bill:

             (1) ADMINISTRATION- The term `Administration' means the Food Safety Administration established under section 101(a)(1).

            (2) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of Food Safety appointed under section 101(a)(2). [Throughout the bill broad power is given to the Administrator. Many decisions are his alone to make. Far too much power is put into the decisions of one man or woman.]

…

             (5) CATEGORY 1 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The term `category 1 food establishment' means a food establishment (other than a seafood processing establishment) that slaughters, for the purpose of producing food, animals that are not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or poultry that are not subject to inspection under the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

            (6) CATEGORY 2 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The term `category 2 food establishment' means a seafood processing establishment or other food establishment (other than a category 1 establishment) not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products Inspection Act, that processes raw seafood or other raw animal products, whether fresh or frozen, or other products that the Administrator determines by regulation to pose a significant risk of hazardous contamination.

            (7) CATEGORY 3 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The term `category 3 food establishment' means a food establishment (other than a category 1 or category 2 establishment) that processes cooked, pasteurized, or otherwise ready-to-eat seafood or other animal products, fresh produce in ready-to-eat raw form, or other products that pose a risk of hazardous contamination.

            (8) CATEGORY 4 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The term `category 4 food establishment' means a food establishment that processes all other categories of food products not described in paragraphs (5) through (7).

            (9) CATEGORY 5 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT- The term `category 5 food establishment' means a food establishment that stores, holds, or transports food products prior to delivery for retail sale.

            (10) CONTAMINANT- The term `contaminant' includes a bacterium, chemical, natural toxin or manufactured toxicant, virus, parasite, prion, physical hazard, or other human pathogen that when found on or in food can cause human illness, injury, or death.

            (11) HAZARDOUS CONTAMINATION- The term `hazardous contamination' refers to the presence of a contaminant in food at levels that pose a risk of human illness, injury, or death or are capable of reaching levels that pose such risk during the shelf life of the product.

            (12) FOOD- The term `food' means a product intended to be used for food or drink for a human or an animal and components thereof.

…

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term `food production facility' means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation. [Notice that there is no specific definition of what constitutes a farm, ranch, orchard, etc.]

______________________________

There is some good information on Alex Tiller's Blog on Agriculture and Farming.

[Drew]

This could be a wonderful blessed bill that will help all mankind, or a snake in the grass.  It could be coming up for a vote during this lame duck congress - possibly in Nov 2010.  Maybe the thoughts expressed below are overblown and would actually not wind up occurring if this bill was passed into law.  If it does actually wind up passing, I guess only time will tell.

“If accepted [S 510] would preclude the public’s right to grow, own, trade, transport, share, feed and eat each and every food that nature makes.  It will become the most offensive authority against the cultivation, trade and consumption of food and agricultural products of one’s choice. It will be unconstitutional and contrary to natural law or, if you like, the will of God.”  ~Dr. Shiv Chopra, Canada Health whistleblower

It is similar to what India faced with imposition of the salt tax during British rule, only S 510 extends control over all food in the US, violating the fundamental human right to food.

Monsanto says it has no interest in the bill and would not benefit from it, but Monsanto’s Michael Taylor who gave us rBGH and unregulated genetically modified (GM) organisms, appears to have designed it and is waiting as an appointed Food Czar to the FDA (a position unapproved by Congress) to administer the agency it would create — without judicial review — if it passes.  S 510 would give Monsanto unlimited power over all US seed, food supplements, food and farming.

** It would end US sovereignty over its own food supply by insisting on compliance with the WTO, thus threatening national security.  It would end the Uruguay Round Agreement Act of 1994, which put US sovereignty and US law under perfect protection.  Instead, S 510 says:

COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.

Nothing in this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization or any other treaty or international agreement to which the United States is a party.

** It would allow the government, under Maritime Law, to define the introduction of any food into commerce (even direct sales between individuals) as smuggling into “the United States.”  Since under that law, the US is a corporate entity and not a location, “entry of food into the US” covers food produced anywhere within the land mass of this country and “entering into” it by virtue of being produced.

From Rep. Ron Paul's website - dailypaul.com:

And what is the threat? Multinational corporations such as Monsanto, Cargill, Tysons, the pharmaceutical industry, etc. have a “food safety” bill in the Senate (S 510) that will allow “the Administrator” to enforce regulations that would require farmers to use “best practices” in agriculture. Unfortunately, those will be defined by “the Administrator” who is expected to be Michael Taylor, Monsanto VP and lawyer and the man who deregulated GMOs and is associated with getting rBGH into the food supply.

Read further ==>  http://is.gd/gGLwV

[Mimi]

Drew, I think this is the bill that wishes to regulate home gardens as well. We have discussed this massive invasion before. Will try to locate the thread.

[Drew]

Yes Sybil I believe you are correct.  This "could" be very invasive and go way beyond its design to insure safe food.  If you find the thread that would be good. 

December 20, 2010 - The infamous S.510 "food food safety bill" was passed by the US Senate last night in a sneaky, last minute voice vote. All Senators voted for it, Republicans and Democrats alike. Not a single U.S. Senator -- not even Coburn -- objected to its passage.

With this vote, the US Senate now sends the bill back to the House of Representatives as HR 2751 which passed on a vote of 215-144.  It has gone to President Obama for signature.  I don't know if he has signed the bill into law, but it appears he will.

We can thank both Republicans and Democrats.  I always find it extremely interesting when Republicans vote for such expansive and intrusive federal legislation and then preach that they are the party of small, limited government - yaa right~!!  They love to mislead and lie.  And vile Harry Reid with his backing of huge agri-corporations has helped move this bill successfully through the house.