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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole
Reigelman |
State Rep. Mark Cohen |
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Cohen’s call for China importation ban approved by committee
Cites contamination of pet food, toothpaste, possibly seafood as reasons for ban
HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Mark Cohen’s resolution urging a ban on wheat gluten products from China has cleared the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
Cohen’s resolution (H.R. 318) would urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban all imports of wheat gluten products from China until the FDA is allowed to inspect all Chinese food processing plants. The request is based on recent news that contaminated pet food and toothpaste have been imported from China, putting U.S. residents and animals at risk.
“China has isolated itself by not allowing U.S. inspectors in; when it comes to the security of our food products, we need to take every precaution possible to keep our people safe,” said Cohen, D-Phila. “In the latest case of contaminated toothpaste, it ended up in several countries and in American psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities and juvenile justice centers. And now there are warnings on frozen seafood from China. We need to put a stop to the importation of contaminated goods.”
In the case of pet food contamination when thousands of animals died, Cohen noted concerns regarding suggestions that the pet food may have been contaminated on purpose to give the appearance of enhanced nutritional value.
“Until China opens its food processing plant doors to U.S. inspectors, I feel the FDA should not allow potentially tainted imports to enter our country,” Cohen said.
The resolution specifically would ask that all wheat gluten imports be tested to certify they are free of illegal chemical and microbial contamination, such as pesticides, rat poison and melamine.
Cohen said he plans to amend his resolution to reflect the most recent concerns with toothpaste and seafood.
The resolution now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
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