I have about 5 minutes to write, while my spaghetti is cooking, but thought I would jot down some quick notes while I have time.
My inbox is full today of "Call to Action" notes regarding H.R. 4167 - a bill going through Congress calling for "National Uniformity for Food." I have some links for you so that you can make up your own mind about it. But the gist is that the law, if passed, will only allow states to require food safety warnings and labeling rules that are in line with FDA standards.
For example, California passed Proposition 65 in 1986 which requires consumer notification about contaminants known to cause cancer or birth defects. If the California required this notice on a food that isn't considered a carcinogen by the FDA, then the FDA law would rule and there would not be a labelling requirement. The biggest importance, in my mind is what this holds for the future. What if California passed a law requiring labelling of GMO's, but the FDA didn't recognize GMO's as something worth labelling? By my understanding of the law, the FDA would rule and food companies selling within California be held to labelling standards.
For more info, read:
Reuters
NY Times
Washington Post
NRDC Call to Action
Center for Food Safety Call to Action
Accidental Hedonist's commentary
Update 3/9/2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, and is headed for the Senate. More here.
So, where have I been lately, you ask? Well, mostly working.
Last night, however, I spent an hour doing something that I'd like to encourage you all to do. Since the beginning of the year, I have collected all catalogs that we receive. Last night, I went to the website of each and every catalog and wrote them a note asking to be removed from their catalog lists. I am giddy with the idea that I am going to be saving that much mail from coming to our house. You can do the same. Just write a note like the one below, and be sure to include all information from the mailing label and a viable email address I used one of my "junk" addresses so that I can correspond with them but don't get bothered by any possible spam.
The note:
Please remove me from your catalog list. I am interested in your company, but am trying to cut down on the amount of mail that I receive. Please help me save trees! I will continue to read your website.
Thank you.
Also, I have been working with the Locavores on the May Eat Local Challenge. Though the challenge last year was in August, the Locavores changed it to May in order to give everyone a chance to try eating local during a different season. I am excited about some news I will have about that in the next couple weeks!
Well, the spaghetti is cooked and already eaten (olive oil, Vegesal, pepper, and parmesan - hit the spot, but not enough protein). I hope you will forgive me for such quick snippets but it's back to work for this blogger.
Oh - if you are going to the Food Politics seminar today, look for me and say hi - I will be there.
