Famine, Saturday, May 12,1979
i:
Nitrite ban legislation introduced in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
The Carter administration
recently proposed that the
use of nitrite in food products
be phased out. In legislation
submitted to Congress,
Secretary of Agriculture Bob
Bergland and Secretary of
Health, Education and
Welfare Joseph A. Califano
Jr. recommended the phase
out be preceded by a one
year moratorium during
which no action would be
taken to reduce or prohibit
the use of nitrite as a
preservative.
Bergland said the
Department of Agriculture
is taking this action because
the Justice Department has
ruled the Federal Meat
Inspection Act, which
governs the use of nitrite as
a preservative in products,
and the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act, which
regulates use of nitrite and
other products do not permit
a phase out of nitrite use.
The Meat Inspection Act
states that a product is
adulterated and may not be
approved for sale as
wholesome if it contains a
substance which may be
injurious to health. Last
Spring, a Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
study, commissioned by the
Food and Drug Ad
ministration, indicated
nitrites themselves can
cause cancer. This study is
currently under review by
independent scientists.
“We feel nitrite is a unique
substance, “Bergland said.
“It has the health benefits of
preventing botulism, which
we feel should be balanced
against the health risk that it
may be a carcinogen.
Therefore, we feel it is
important to provide for an
orderly phase out of nitrite
from the food supply,” he
said.
Tenderfoot
the Tough, Tested
Proven ‘‘pig-saver’
PERMA-BOND* KOMFY-KOTE
CONSTRUCTION
A tough acid-resistant
plasfisol compound
permanently bonded to
a rugged steel mesh
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?
First produced in 1975, Tenderfoot was Constant research, development and
tested in farrowing pens for IVi years quality control continues at the
before being marketed These original Tenderfoot factory and at the nearby
floors have been in constant use ever 650-sow operation where the original
since WITH NO APPRECIABLE WEAR' 1975 Tenderfoot floors are still going
Today’s Tenderfoot floors have 6 ad- strong
vantages over the original pieces
1. 3 limes more coating.
2. Tougher vinyl coating.
3. Extra-strength steel.
4. Treated to resist bacteria A fungi
growth.
5. Improved Perma-Bond processing.
6. Strict quality control.
BETTER-BILT AGRI. DIST.
Ephrata, Pa. 17522
Nitrite is used as a
preservative in cured meat
products such as ham, bacon
and hot dogs. It inhibits the
growth of bacteria that
produce botulism and gives
meat products their flavor
and color.
During the moratorium,
Bergland said the two
departments will collect and
evaluate information and
studies on the risks of nitrite
use. If, at the end of the
moratorium the agencies
conclude nitrite poses a
health hazard, they would
propose an orderly phase out
of its use.
The moratorium would
provide stability and the
opportunity for evaluation,
and would allow the agencies
sufficient time for continued
research and development of
alternatives to nitrite,
Bergland said. He said the
two departments would be
required to provide
assurances that alternative
preservatives would not only
provide full protection
against botulism, but also
could be implemented on a
commercial basis.
Specifically, the proposed
“Nitrite Moratorium and
Food Safety Act” provides
thatr
Neither agency may
prohibit the use of nitrite as
an additive to food before
May 1,1980.
The agriculture depart
ment may continue with its
plan to reduce the allowable
level of nitrites in the curing
process, as provided in a
proposed regulation
published in the Federal
Register in May 1978
The two agencies retain
authority to regulate the use
of nitrites used solely for
flavor or color.
Nitrites may not be
banned after May 1, 1980, if
*An exclusive bonding e Self-CleanUM. No holes Of
process developed by w . r . ,
Tendenoot crevices to harbor bacteria.
How long will a Tenderfoot last 7 No
one knows The very first ones pro
duced have withstood heavy use since
1975 with no appreciable wear The
floors produced today are 6 ways
belter than the first ones On the basis
of these facts it seems safe to say that
any concern over the durability of
Tenderfoot flooring is unnecessary.'
-CALLTODAY -
Edwin N. Kintz, prop. 717-733-8193
hearings snow quantities in
use are safe or if nitrites are
shown to be necessary to
protect against botulism.
If it is necessary to con
tinue using nitrite as
protection against botulism,
its use shall be permitted
only for the time needed to
develop safe alternative
preservatives.
The two agencies will
review the regulations
issued under the act yearly
to determine the progress
being made toward
developing effective and
feasible alternatives to
nitrite to prevent botulism.
Senator Herman E.
Talmadge, chairman of the
Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry, introduced
legislation to impose a one
year moratorium on any
government ban on nitrite as
a food preservative.
Talmadge warned that the
immediate elimination of
nitrite would expose con
sumers to a “grave risk” of
botulism poisoning. Nitrite is
widely used as a curing
agent and preservative in
meats, poultry, fish, and
cheese.
“The proposal I am in
troducing would avoid an
abrupt and unwise disrup
tion of the food supply and
customary storage and use
practices,” Talmadge said
in a Senate statement. “It
would also avoid a serious
health hazard by permitting
the continued use of nitrite
until feasible alternative
protections against botulism
are available.”
The bill was developed
jointly by. the Departments
of Agriculture and Health,
Education, and Welfare
because of the possibility
that current food safety laws
could force a government
• Superior Traction prevents
injuries and abrasions.
• Cushioned comfort reduces
stress.
ban on nitrite use in food.
Similar legislation has been
introduced in the House of
Representatives.
A recent study by the
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology identified nitrite
as a possible cause of can
cer. The MIT study is now
being reviewed by in
dependent scientists. If the
MIT findings are confirmed,
the Department of Justice
has held that current law
would require a total ban otr
nitrite use.
. The bill introduced by
Talmadge would provide a
one-year moratorium on
such an immediate ban. The
bill further provides that, in
the event the current review
of the MIT study finds nitrite
to be unsafe, it could be
phased out over a period of
time if alternative protec
tions against 'botulism are
available.
Talmadge pledged prompt
consideration of the
legislation by his Com
mittee. He asked Senator
Donald W. Stewart (D-Ala.),
chairman of the Sub
committee on Agriculture
BONITA COW MATS
3 /« inch
thickness
4 lb. per
sq. ft.
Soft
Non-
Absorbent
BEST BUY: This sure footing anti-slip
patterned surface cow mat is of the highest quality
Ryder Supply has ever offered. Better still,
they’re priced right.
Note: In Stock - Immediate Delivery
GRAVES
BALE ELEVATOR
AND
MOW CONVEYOR
•1" Square 17 ga. Steel Tubing
• Every Panel x-braced w/ 1 /*” steel
• Quality Accessories Available
RYDER, supply
. « \~vj-
Research and General
Legislation, to hold hearings
as soon as possible.
The National Pork
Producers Council, while
questioning the need for a
nitrite ban and new
legislation, went on record
“in support of a moratorium
on an immediate nitrite ban
if at any time, conclusive
proof "of - .human health
hazard is substantiated.”
NPPC president Bill
Buller, Brookings, S.D., said
that NPPC,' representing
85,000 pork producers, does
not believe that studies at
this tune actually point to
nitrite as a carcinogenic
agent. Buller’s comments
folldweii NPPC executive
board action on a request
from Ms. Carol Foreman for
producer response to the
Administration’s “Nitrite
Moratorium and Food Safety
Act” presented recently
upon a Justice Department
report that a gradual nitrite
phase-out was illegal under
current law.
“NPPC feels,” Buller
said, “that inasmuch as
credibility of the M.I.T.
«-> -s .
•as** *
* K
Phone: 717-263-9111
study is under question by
the scientific community,
the Council recommends a
completely new evaluation
pf nitrites by scientists
recommended by the
National Academy of
Science utilizing acceptable,
scientific procedures.
“If, upon completion of
such a study, nitrite is
determined unsafe,” Buller
continued, “we would ask
that a moratorium be ap
plied until a substitute is
developed to maintain
present product ac
ceptability and safety from
botulism.”
Buller, in a letter to Ms.
Foreman cited NPPC ap
preciation of Ms. Foreman’s
efforts and those of USDA in
searching for a solution to an
outright nitrite ban. Buller
added that
executive board has given J
what it feels “objective”
study to the Administration
proposal and will continue to
assist Congressional
representatives and the
USDA in finding a workable
solution to the nitrite
question.
HanPd
SELF-CATCH HEAD GATE
• Full walk-through front
opening
• Self-adjusting for any
size animal.
• Safe for animal and
operator
RR 8, P.O. Box 219
Chambersburg, Pa.
17201