Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Law Institute published a paper by FMI’s regulatory counsel Erik Lieberman on menu labeling and how FDA exceeded its authority by regulating supermarkets. The paper is published in the peer-reviewed FDLI Policy Forum series.
The paper will be an effective resource to share with policymakers to highlight FMI’s concerns with FDA’s proposed rule on menu labeling. A copy of the paper can be accessed here. Please contact Erik Lieberman, elieberman@fmi.org if you have any questions.
FMI has endorsed new legislation that will support Congress’ original intent on federal restaurant menu labeling by ensuring that regulatory protocols intended for restaurants are not expanded to mainstream grocery stores, thus saving food retailers and their customers from unnecessary regulatory consequences costing in excess of $1 billion.
“The financial burdens of extending restaurant menu labeling to supermarkets in such a prescriptive manner are extraordinary,” Jennifer Hatcher, FMI senior vice president of government and political affairs, said.
The menu labeling reform bill, entitled the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2012 (H.R. 6174), currently has 23 cosponsors. The full bill text can be accessed here. FMI and NACS worked closely with Rep. Carter’s office and representatives from Domino’s, NACS, and the National Grocers Association in crafting the bill.
Rep. Carter held a press conference to coincide with the bill introduction alongside some of the bill cosponsors and food industry representatives, including FMI member H-E-B. Rep. Carter was joined by bill cosponsors Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) and Tim Scott (R-SC).
Dya Campos, director of public affairs at H-E-B, spoke at the press conference, emphasizing the unnecessary burden that the menu labeling requirement would place on the supermarket industry. Campos also highlighted that more than 95% of food items in grocery stores already provide nutrition labeling. Domino’s Pizza franchisee Jonathan Sharp and Miller Oil Co. President Jeff Miller also made remarks at the press conference in support of the bill.
FMI has been aggressive in pursuing both regulatory and legislative action to seek supermarket exemption. FMI and its coalition partners will continue meeting with congressional offices to seek additional cosponsors and garner support for the bill. For more information, contact Rob Rosado, rrosado@fmi.org. (www.FMI.org)
