Posted April 21, 2014
Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) recently wrote a letter to Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the FDA to exempt distillers grain, raw agricultural commodities and byproducts from a proposed rule on animal feed, according to an article by Ethanol Producer Magazine, available here. KTIC Radio also reported on the story here.
The proposed rule, “Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Food for Animals” was published in the Federal Register on October 29.
Sen. Johanns wrote that the “rigid framework” proposed by FDA would increase costs for industry participants with little benefit: “In particular, I am concerned about FDA regulation of byproducts used in animal food. Whether the byproducts are from ethanol plants, breweries, or human food manufacturers, these are an important part of the supply chain for animal food and help companies reduce waste and create additional value. However, the proposed rule included a number of new requirements that would have made the distribution of byproducts cost-prohibitive.”
Johanns said, “The proposal would increase costs, and create massive amounts of landfill waste – without any improvements in food safety. I’m glad FDA has agreed to revisit this rule and I will continue to advocate for food safety regulations based on sound science and common sense.” The full letter is available here.
For more information on food safety, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
Share: