“Thanks to ABA’s hard work with the House Appropriations Committee, we are one step closer to protecting bakers from unwarranted litigation that could negatively impact both large and small businesses,” said ABA President and CEO Robb MacKie.
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee voted to add an amendment to the FY 2016 agriculture spending bill that would maintain partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) until June 17, 2018 – the date FDA has set as the PHO transition period deadline.
ABA has worked aggressively to educate members of the House Appropriations Committee on the impact of FDA’s determination. When it was released last month, it immediately revoked the GRAS status of PHOs, but set a compliance date that was three years later, creating confusion regarding the ingredients’ safe status, and opening up food manufacturers to litigation.
“The Committee’s unified support for Rep. Harris’s amendment underscores their understanding and acknowledgement that FDA needs to take positive steps to clarify that PHOs are safe in food until the 2018 compliance date. This action will quell the current litigation trend and assist small and large businesses as they continue forward with their transitions,” added MacKie.
Over the past decade, the food industry has been greatly successful in formulating out more than 70 percent of PHOs from food.
ABA applauds Rep. Andy Harris for his leadership and common-sense approach to address this critical issue for bakers.
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association
