S510, also known as the Food Safety and Modernization bill, has been stirring up all sorts of passionate debate. Slow Food USA has been following the journey of this bill along with the Child Nutrition Act for many months now. I have been trying to do my part to keep up with the twists and turns, its not been easy.
Today is the day that this bill will live or die on the floor of the Senate. Marion Nestle, a professor at NYU and the author of Food Politics has a great summary in her blog today. Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser wrote a piece that does a good job of explaining the whole deal in the NY Times this weekend, A Stale Food Fight.
The bottom line is its time for the FDA to regulate food safety. Here’s two reasons: a half billion eggs recalled last summer and $152 billion dollars, that’s the annual costs associated with food borne illness. Do you remember the tireless mom in Food Inc. Barbara Kowalcyk, whose 2 year old son, Kevin, died from E.coli poisoning after eating a hamburger? If this bill passes, she’ll sleep better at night.
The Tester amendment, written by John Tester (D-MT), will make it even more effective, strengthening food safety rules while protecting small farmers and producers.
If you have a moment today, make a phone call to your Senators and tell them that you support S510 with the Tester amendment.
Senator Charles Schumer
(202) 224-6542
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
(202) 224-4451
