WASHINGTON – The “FRESH Act” sounds healthy, but it is not. Despite the name, this industry-backed bill would make it easier for companies to add new chemicals to our food with less government oversight, and it would erase hundreds of state laws that protect families from toxic ingredients.
This bill is gaining traction due to the food industry’s deep pockets, and there is real concern it may pass Congress. EWG is hosting a “Toxics off the table!” rally in Washington, D.C., on September 15 to call on lawmakers to oppose the FRESH Act and put families’ health before corporate interests.
What the FRESH Act would do:
- Erase existing and future state food safety laws. Hundreds of protections already on the books could be wiped out, including bans on PFAS “forever chemicals” in food packaging, artificial dyes in school food and heavy metals in baby food and infant formula.
- Let toxic chemicals be called “safe.” New chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm could be added to food without the Food and Drug Administration ever confirming they are safe.
- Let the food industry police itself. Industry-funded panels, including the flavor industry’s own panel, could review and greenlight chemicals for immediate use – even when reviewers have financial conflicts of interest.
- Approve chemicals by default. If the FDA does not respond to a company within 90 days, the new chemical is automatically allowed into our food.
- Give infant formula companies more time before telling the FDA if there is a contamination outbreak. They wouldn’t have to tell the FDA until they determined the root cause of the outbreak.
- Leave in place the chemicals already in our food. The bill would not require the FDA to review a single ingredient currently on the market.
Join us to protect state food safety laws:
What: Toxics off the table! rally to protect state food laws
When: September 15 at 2 p.m.
Where: Washington, D.C., Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
Speakers include:
- Ken Cook, EWG president
- Chef Andrew Zimmern, award-winning chef, author and food advocate
- Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
- Rep. Chellie Pingree(D-ME)
- Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY)
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA)
- New York Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Ph.D. (D-Assembly District 125)
- Maryland State Delegate Sheila Ruth (D-District 44B)
- California State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel ( D- District 46)
- Chef Johanna Hellrigl, acclaimed chef and owner of D.C. restaurant Ama
- Shaka Smith, wellness advocate and content creator (@shakastrong)
- Anja Aniere, policy and organizing manager for Safer States
- Sybil Bullock, senior oceans campaigner for Greenpeace
- Rachel Bustamante, policy manager for Plastic Pollution Coalition
- Alan Bullington, FoodFight USA
- Mara Fleishman, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Chef Ann Foundation
- Nora LaTorre, CEO for Eat Real
- Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports
- Sarah Sorscher, director of regulatory affairs for Center for Science in the Public Interest
- Jennifer L Pomeranz, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management, NYU
- Cara Cook, MS, RN, AHN-BC, Deputy Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
- Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy for Environmental Defense Fund
Save the date and add it to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/tnthbgc4rfpg
