NEWS RELEASE
Committee on Energy and Commerce Democrats
Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member

AS SUMMER BBQ SEASON HEATS UP,
DEMOCRATS CALL ON STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS
TO STOP CARBON MONOXIDE TREATMENTS
OF MEAT AND FISH

Inaction by the Food and Drug Administration Forces State Health Authorities to Better Protect Consumers from Potentially Spoiled Meat and Fish

Washington, D.C. – Senior Democrats of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent letters today to health officials in every state urging them to use their authority to prevent the sale of meat and fish products treated with carbon monoxide or at least ensure that labeling for such products include a very clear and protective “use or freeze by” date.

Carbon monoxide is used to alter the color of meat and fish to make those substances appear edible beyond the time when they decompose sufficiently to be contaminated by one or more dangerous toxins.

“It is a shame that the FDA will not take timely action to protect American consumers,” said Rep. John D. Dingell (MI), Ranking Member of the Committee. “Consumers need to be warned that they cannot rely on product color to determine the safety of meat or fish products.”

“Treating meat with carbon monoxide is deception at best and at worst it masks deadly pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “Where the FDA has fallen down on the job, I hope state public health officials will stand up for and protect consumers.”

“States have always been at the forefront of identifying unsafe foods and protecting consumers from them,” said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (CA). “We urge them to once again step up to the plate and fill in the gap left by FDA’s inaction.”

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) said, “Americans shouldn’t be wondering whether or not their families are going to get sick at this summer’s barbeques and cookouts from fresh-looking meat and fish that has actually turned bad. If the FDA is unwilling to regulate this industry, it is time for each state’s health officials to use their authority to make sure grocery stores are selling fish and meat that doesn’t deceive consumers.”

In letters dated February 9, 2006, and March 30, 2006, Energy and Commerce Democrats requested that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration remove products treated with carbon monoxide from markets until claims of such products’ safety could be assessed.

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