FFVA Food News Update

PUTNAM, COSTA INTRODUCE FOOD SAFETY LEGISLATION

U.S. Reps. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) introduced the Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act on April 23. The “Safe FEAST Act” would impose new mandatory food safety requirements on farm and food companies domestically and abroad to identify and prevent potential sources of food-borne illness. It aims to strengthen the relationship between federal and state agencies to better control food safety threats and gives FDA new powers to recall contaminated food in the case of adulteration.

Costa, a member of the Committee on Agriculture, and Putnam, chairman of the Republican Conference, said they expect the bipartisan measure to earn support among consumers and industry groups.

“This is a thoughtful, pragmatic approach to food safety,” said FFVA President Mike Stuart. “It focuses the regulatory process on higher-risk areas, while strengthening the basic overall safety framework.”

To view section-by-section provisions of the bill, click here.

COURT STRIKES DOWN SIGNATURE REVOCATION LAW

An appeals court ruled April 23 that a new Florida law allowing voters to revoke their signatures on petitions for a constitutional amendment is an “unnecessary burden on amending the constitution.”

The 1st District Court of Appeal said the section of the Florida Constitution that allows public petition campaigns does not carry any provision for signature revocation. The panel’s ruling is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.

The revocation effort was used by groups opposing the petition drive for the Hometown Democracy amendment, which would have required voter approval of any changes in land-use plans. Hometown Democracy failed to be placed on the ballot in February because it lacked enough signatures.

PANEL VOTES TO PROCEED WITH PROPERTY TAX-CUT PLAN

Florida’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted April 24 to place on November’s ballot a plan to force lawmakers to cut school property taxes by $9.5 billion by 2010 and replace lost revenues with a sales tax increase, repeal of current sales tax exemptions and/or other measures. Three commissioners switched votes from an earlier meeting where it passed 21-4. A total of 17 votes were needed. The proposal passed 18-7.

The commission, which meets every 20 years, consists of appointees chosen by the governor, Senate president and House speaker.

STUDY SAYS TOMATOES HELP FIGHT SUN DAMAGE

Tomatoes could be the new weapon in the fight against sun damage to the skin, research at the Universities of Newcastle and Manchester has revealed.

According to a study presented at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology this month, eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and sun-induced skin ageing.

In the study, researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive oil, over a period of 12 weeks.

The skin was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light - which is found naturally in sunlight - at the beginning and end of the trial. The team found significant improvements in the skin’s ability to protect itself against UV in the group who had been eating tomato paste.