Washington, Oct 19, 2000 - Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Cleveland) announced a legislative effort to eliminate a major food safety loophole. The legislation Kucinich will introduce will grant FDA authority to quickly "embargo"adulterated food products giving Americans immediate protection. FDA would be better equipped to handle the StarLink corn fiasco which has resulted in widespread contamination of the bulk corn commodity market. FDA's current authority allows the seizure of adulterated foods only after a lengthy court process, yet they have no authority to take immediate steps to protect the American public.

"If the federal government can protect the American consumer by forcing a massive recall of Firestone tires, then the federal government should have the ability to force a recall of contaminated food to ensure food safety," said Representative Kucinich. "The genetically engineered genie is out of the bottle and contaminating our food supply. Now is the time for our federal regulators to have the ability to clean up the mess this out-of-control genie has created."

The legislation will:

require the FDA to "embargo" adulterated food (a temporary seizure) until a court determines if FDA can permanently seize the product. Our food safety regulators must be able to protect the American public with immediate action.

require the FDA to disclose all necessary information without regard to confidentially, if such disclosure is necessary to embargo, seize, or recall any adulterated food. The American consumer must be assured that an embargoed, seized, or recalled adulterated food cannot be hidden behind claims of proprietary information.

require registration of grocery stores with the FDA to expedite recalls, embargos and seizures.