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GMA Makes Recommendations to Obama, Congress

The Grocery Manufacturers Association is recommending that the Obama administration and 111th Congress increase the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food-related spending to $900 million by fiscal year 2012. GMA is also pushing for the requirement that manufacturers conduct food safety risk analyses, and foreign importers police their suppliers.

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association here is recommending that the Obama administration and 111th Congress increase the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food-related spending to $900 million by fiscal year 2012.

GMA is also pushing for the requirement that manufacturers conduct food safety risk analyses, and foreign importers police their suppliers. It maintains that such steps are necessary to ensure the FDA’s ability to keep up with the growing number of food imports.

“Although FDA funding has increased in recent years, it’s not kept pace with inflation and as a result we’re losing scientists and inspectors,” said GMA Vice president for Federal Affairs Scott Faber.

The association also recommends the incoming administration and Congress grant FDA the authority to order mandatory recalls.

Support of policies that help commercialize second-generation biofuels is also advised. GMA is calling for the Obama administration and Congress to include incentives for producers in their stimulus package.

“We’re continuing to move towards fuels that don’t pit our energy needs against the needs of affordable foods or a healthy environment,” Faber said. “There are immediate opportunities whether they be grants, loan guarantees or production tax credits, that could help bring fuels made from crop waste, wood waste, or municipal solid waste to the market.”

Mindful that the 111th Congress will take up the issue of Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization, GMA also advocates support of a school health program based on nutrition education and physical activity, uniform standards for school nutrition policies and an expanded school breakfast program.

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