DeGette Presses Food Company Chiefs; Giving Government Mandatory Recall Authority is the Way Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With news of another outbreak
of contamination in our food supply, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice
Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today delivered the following opening
statement during a Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing
entitled, “Contaminated Food: Private Sector Accountability,” with the
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major food producing companies
testifying.
The following are Ms. DeGette’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:
“I want to welcome our witnesses today to talk about an issue of the utmost importance to the American people.
“Over the last year, this subcommittee has held five hearings examining the safety of our nation’s food supply. I am glad we are continuing this investigation, which has brought to light serious inadequacies in our system both in the public and private sectors.
“But sadly these hearings have often turned up more questions than answers. And even more sadly, like the recall last week, after each hearing there have been more outbreaks.
“But what is absolutely maddening is that these incidents are preventable. In almost every case, we can trace serious threats to public health back to an agency that has been starved for funding, or to a corporation with substandard agricultural or industrial practices.
“Today we continue this investigation by taking testimony from the CEOs of some of the biggest food producers in the world, all of whom have been involved in serious outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, some of them have been before us before. And Mr. Chairman, it seems that we keep hearing the same things over and over.
“I will focus for a minute on ConAgra, a major food producer nationwide with operations in Colorado. Six years ago it was ConAgra that appeared before us to talk about one of the biggest recalls in history after E.Coli was found in its beef and so many people got sick.
“Last year they were before this committee talking about peanut butter tainted with salmonella. Then it was revealed that its popcorn contained chemicals that could get workers and consumers sick. And then, this past fall, citizens around the country were poisoned by ConAgra-made pot pies with salmonella.
“You can see how frustrating this is for us, representatives of the consumer. These companies come before us, apologize profusely – then tell us all about the new facilities they are installing or money they are spending to make sure something like this never happens again.
“For example, today ConAgra will report fantastic progress in ensuring the safety of Peter Pan Peanut Butter. This is great news, but what about the pot pies? I am sure the company has taken great pains at great expense to ensure the safety of this product going forward but what about the next outbreak? With an organization this large, that touches so many segments of the marketplace, what are they doing company-wide to ensure food safety? Obviously we may never be able to eliminate risk entirely, but this is happening far too often.
“Many of the companies before us today have been involved in massive recalls of tainted products. The members of this committee know that for years I have introduced legislation, H.R. 3484 that would grant the USDA and FDA mandatory recall authority.
“My constituents are shocked to learn that these agencies do not have this authority. All of the recalls we will hear about today, when they finally occurred were issued voluntarily. It is my contention that waiting on the company to make the decision is like the fox guarding the hen-house.
“ConAgra, for example, did not order a recall immediately upon learning of illnesses related to their pot pies. They issued a “consumer advisory” instead. It was only after days had passed and even more people got sick that the company decided that it was in their financial interest, in addition to the public interest, to recall the products.
“My legislation would correct this conflict of interest by allowing the USDA or FDA to order recalls as soon as it becomes clear that an outbreak has occurred, and it provides for the immediate notification of consumers and public health officials.
“I want to thank Chairman Dingell for continuing to work with me on my food safety legislation, and thank you Chairman Stupak for your continued diligence in continuing this investigation.”
“Over the last year, this subcommittee has held five hearings examining the safety of our nation’s food supply. I am glad we are continuing this investigation, which has brought to light serious inadequacies in our system both in the public and private sectors.
“But sadly these hearings have often turned up more questions than answers. And even more sadly, like the recall last week, after each hearing there have been more outbreaks.
“But what is absolutely maddening is that these incidents are preventable. In almost every case, we can trace serious threats to public health back to an agency that has been starved for funding, or to a corporation with substandard agricultural or industrial practices.
“Today we continue this investigation by taking testimony from the CEOs of some of the biggest food producers in the world, all of whom have been involved in serious outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, some of them have been before us before. And Mr. Chairman, it seems that we keep hearing the same things over and over.
“I will focus for a minute on ConAgra, a major food producer nationwide with operations in Colorado. Six years ago it was ConAgra that appeared before us to talk about one of the biggest recalls in history after E.Coli was found in its beef and so many people got sick.
“Last year they were before this committee talking about peanut butter tainted with salmonella. Then it was revealed that its popcorn contained chemicals that could get workers and consumers sick. And then, this past fall, citizens around the country were poisoned by ConAgra-made pot pies with salmonella.
“You can see how frustrating this is for us, representatives of the consumer. These companies come before us, apologize profusely – then tell us all about the new facilities they are installing or money they are spending to make sure something like this never happens again.
“For example, today ConAgra will report fantastic progress in ensuring the safety of Peter Pan Peanut Butter. This is great news, but what about the pot pies? I am sure the company has taken great pains at great expense to ensure the safety of this product going forward but what about the next outbreak? With an organization this large, that touches so many segments of the marketplace, what are they doing company-wide to ensure food safety? Obviously we may never be able to eliminate risk entirely, but this is happening far too often.
“Many of the companies before us today have been involved in massive recalls of tainted products. The members of this committee know that for years I have introduced legislation, H.R. 3484 that would grant the USDA and FDA mandatory recall authority.
“My constituents are shocked to learn that these agencies do not have this authority. All of the recalls we will hear about today, when they finally occurred were issued voluntarily. It is my contention that waiting on the company to make the decision is like the fox guarding the hen-house.
“ConAgra, for example, did not order a recall immediately upon learning of illnesses related to their pot pies. They issued a “consumer advisory” instead. It was only after days had passed and even more people got sick that the company decided that it was in their financial interest, in addition to the public interest, to recall the products.
“My legislation would correct this conflict of interest by allowing the USDA or FDA to order recalls as soon as it becomes clear that an outbreak has occurred, and it provides for the immediate notification of consumers and public health officials.
“I want to thank Chairman Dingell for continuing to work with me on my food safety legislation, and thank you Chairman Stupak for your continued diligence in continuing this investigation.”
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