Rosa L. DeLauro

07/25/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/25/2022 15:16

DeLauro Provides Update on Work to Restock Shelves with Safe Infant Formula

NEW HAVEN, CT- Today, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released a statement following her virtual press availability on the ongoing infant formula shortage and her work to help get safe product back on shelves:

"Thank you all for joining me today to discuss food safety. With the ongoing infant formula crisis, and the clear need of food safety leadership at the federal level, I continue to fight to get safe infant formula back on the shelves and to protect American consumers.

"Today, the FDA regulates about 80% of our food supply. Consumers and industry depend on the FDA to perform its regulatory role. Every year, nearly 48 million people get sick from foodborne illness - resulting in 128,000 Americans being hospitalized and 3,000 dying. This is all too common, costly - and preventable.

"Between inadequate responses to recalls, a failure to implement a culture of outbreak prevention, and proposed rules and initiatives that languish for years - FDA's food program has struggled in its role in protecting consumers.

"Food safety is currently a second-class citizen at the FDA. As highlighted by the infant formula crisis, there are dire consequences when food safety is not prioritized. FDA has the authority to appoint an empowered Deputy Commissioner for Foods with a background in food safety-but has yet to do so. This affects all aspects of FDA's food program.

"That is why this month I introduced the Food Safety Administration Act with Senator Dick Durbin. This bill would establish the Food Safety Administration under HHS and incorporate the existing food programs within FDA into a separate agency. This will increase leadership and accountability, strengthen oversight of the food supply - and enhance the industry's ability to operate effectively.

"In May, I also introduced the Keep Infant Formula Safe and on the Shelves Act, and I am working to pass those provisions into law. But more must be done. With market consolidation impacting our food supply, including in the meatpacking … cereal … and infant formula industries - it now more important than ever to address this issue. So, in addition to the two bills I introduced, I will be introducing legislation that will support small business domestic infant formula manufacturers in the coming weeks.

"Lastly, I put out a call to action for families across the country to send my office photos of the infant formula shelves at their local stores. I'm asking folks to send me pictures of the infant formula shelves in their community with the name of the store, city, and state. You can e-mail your photos [email protected]. We need to get safe infant formula back on shelves, and lawmakers need to know which communities are experiencing the most need."

DeLaurorecently introduced the Food Safety Administration Act, legislation that would establish the Food Safety Administration, a single food safety agency responsible for keeping the food we consume safe. DeLauro also posted a videoon Tuesday, July 19, asking families across the country to send photos of infant formula shelves to document the status of the shortage and which communities are in need for lawmakers.

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delauro.house.gov