Bill Text: NJ AR144 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges enactment of "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [AR144 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR144-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges enactment of "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the enactment of the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015."
Whereas, Americans are interested and invested in reviewing information about the foods they consume daily, ranging from the source or origin of the food to the nutritional facts and composition of the food; and
Whereas, A growing number of people have food allergies and sensitivities, some of which are obscure and some more common, and the importance of properly labeling the content of food significantly benefits the citizenry; and
Whereas, In November 2015, U.S. Representative Pallone introduced H.R. 4061, the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015" (FLMA); and
Whereas, As introduced, the FLMA updates the nutrition facts panel of packaged foods, requires that signage of major food allergens be placed next to non-packaged foods offered for sale, requires the submission of food label information for imported foods, and includes sesame as a major food allergen; and
Whereas, Under the FLMA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would regulate the disclosure of sesame in foods, to prevent persons with an allergy to sesame from consuming a product that may induce a severe allergic reaction; and
Whereas, The FDA is tasked, under the provisions of the federal legislation, with creating a public database which would include the food label information submitted by a manufacturer or importer of an imported food; and
Whereas, The FLMA would revise the definitions of "artificial" and "healthy" to more accurately reflect a food's content, and high-fructose corn syrup would be considered an artificial ingredient; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of the people of this State and this nation to improve nutritional literacy and empower consumers to make informed and safe choices about the foods they consume, thus making it imperative that the federal government enact the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The United States Congress is respectfully urged to support and pass, and the President to sign into law, H.R. 4061 of 2015, the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015."
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of the United States of America, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, every sponsor of H.R. 4061 of 2015, the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015," and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Congress to pass, and the President to sign into law, the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015."
Representative Pallone, of New Jersey, introduced H.R. 4061, the "Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015" (FLMA), in November of 2015. This federal legislation would update the nutrition facts panel of packaged foods, require that signage of major food allergens be placed next to non-packaged foods offered for sale, require the submission of food label information for imported foods, and include sesame as a major food allergen. The regulation and disclosure of sesame in foods would help prevent persons with a sesame allergy from consuming a product that may induce a severe allergic reaction.
The federal bill would also require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a public database which would include the food label information submitted by a manufacturer or importer of an imported food.
Additionally, the FLMA would revise the definitions of "artificial" and "healthy" to more accurately reflect a food's content, and high-fructose corn syrup would be considered an artificial ingredient.
