Democrats propose country of origin rule for food, drugs

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers want to make sure people know where their food and drugs come from and the overseas plants producing them are regularly inspected.

Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee proposed Thursday that all produce labels be required to show the country of origin. They also want food manufacturers of all kinds to identify on their corporate Web site where each ingredient in a particular food product originated.

Drug labels also would have to identify the source of a medicine's active ingredient and its place of manufacture. Labels for all medical devices would have to show country of origin, as well.

The United States imports more than $2 trillion worth of products from more than 150 countries. Lawmakers and the Bush administration say the 62 deaths associated with contaminated batches of the blood thinner heparin and a variety of food and drug safety problems point to the need for improved oversight.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080417/ap_on_go_co/food_drug_safety

[RC]

1. The drug companies aren't going to like this.

Proof that cheaper drugs imported from Canada were made right here in the USA.

[fed-up]

2. k/r nt

[harmonicon]

3. great idea

I hope this catches fire.

[FatDave]

4. Works for me.

Let's watch the republicans fight it.

[flashl]

5. FDA fees eyed to boost food, drug safety

Source: USA Today

New fees for food and drug companies anchor draft legislation released Thursday that's aimed at improving the safety of the nation's food and drug supply.

...

The proposal, if enacted, would lead to major changes in food and drug oversight, and it was quick to draw rebukes.

"We should not be taxing food companies at a time of record food prices," said Scott Faber, vice president of the Grocery Manufactures Association. "Congress ought to provide the (Food and Drug Administration) with ample funding and not pass that cost on to companies and consumers."

The proposed legislation would require U.S. food facilities and those exporting food to the USA to pay $2,000 per facility per year to register with the FDA. The fee would generate about $600 million, more than doubling the FDA's current food safety budget.

USA Today

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-04-17-fda-dingell_N.htm

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Did ANYBODY in Congress get the memo about food riots? Is this ANOTHER regressive tax on basic necessities?

[Heywood J]

7. Gasp! No!

I mean, the horror. A two-thousand dollar fee per year for the entire plant. If the plant makes only 1,000,000 units of product, that would increase the cost of the product by 0.2 cents per unit. Such a regressive tax when it comes to having a hope in hell of the FDA actually having the money to employ an inspector to check that plant out.

A 0.2 cent increase - I just don't know how I'll cope with that...

[Texano78704]

6. COOL!

Didn't they already pass a law six years ago requiring country of origin labeling for food?

[OhioChick]

8. This is long over-due. n/t

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pharlo]

11. lol.............do what everyone else does....

Go into the Lounge and post filler comments to pad your post count.......*grin*......and, good luck with your efforts.

[truthisfreedom]

10. No, man, this is real Acapulco gold, man. Look, it's got the tag right on it!

Sorry, couldn't help it.