food letter 06

8/2/2019 Food Letter 06

1/3

07/20/2011 10:39 FAX 202 225 2013 REP. JOE PITrS

lCongrts9' of tbt OtdttbED5(Jington. 20515

/

TheHOhorable Kathleen SebeliusSecretarY .Department ofHealth andHuman:Services200 IndepeIidence SW_ Washington, D.C. 20201

July 18, 2011, Ii i- I. . I i

TheSecretary 'r. .u.s. ofAgnculttire1400 Indep . - . ,ce SW .Wasbingtollj . 202SlOTheChainnam. Ii; '.Federal ;. .600 Pennsyl aAvfMIue,!N.W.

20S . . C -c . co. r ; jN vDear Secreup,r Sderetary Sebelius. and ChainnanLeibowitz:

leliding confectioneryproducing in the nation,. ptoviding21,000 and producing approximately $9.3 billionworth ofpt0ducts'i1!Y, we 'Write to express our significant and immediate concerns over the '.. ,_Preliminary! - .osed NutritionPrinciples to FoodMarketed to Children bythe-IntemgencyWorking .. urge you to wi1hdraw these overreachingand misguid.itd principlesthat blatantlt an industry that has made extensive voluntary over theyears to adverthingllto children. : . .The represent an alarming regulatory overreachon the part ofinembersofthe Group. As youknow, the FY 2009 Omnibl:JsAppropriations Actdirected-theIlJ$Ii>A,Ft!c, cnc, and FTC to complete a study and to provide recommendations

in the'form df.:reportlto Onngress. However, for reasons that remain the InteragencyW C0mplete the study or deliver a report, but insteadproceeded to proposesweeping niliJIketi1!lg goideline.s. While the principlesput forth by the InteragencyWotking :onIlIptme they are still cause for concern. as they appear tobe atl-a.ttcm1pt toregulate action. At a time ofbUdget constraints andcompeting>agency .Priorities, it :isitubHnk to learn that valuable agency resources have been diverted. to seekobjectives ibe iJIltent ofCongress.; /' -E'sednutrition standards,most food and beverage products I1UUIUfactured

in the state .a could no' longer be marketed to children and teens. In addition, theInteragency:\Vlijking i . up proposedmarketing restrictions -have the potential to impede thebusiness andieon$lunity involvement ofmany ofPennsylvania's leading food andbeverage those that manufacture and market the vflStmajmity :ofchocolateandsugar saitl in the UnitedStates. By broadly marketing to include; .IIi

i!:: I :II I

i I:",- I, IPRINTEDON IlECYCLEO PAPER


2/3

07/20/2011 10:40 FAX 202 225 2013!: ,:I'

REP. JOE PITTS

1,- d$plays, _well as television, radio,med1a, co abies wetud tiCt bepermtttedto use eqwty characters or sports heroes onmanypackages hbuld longer design andmarket seasonal shaped and seasonal Wrapped .products, chocolate Easter Bunnies and Santas. - -: :IIn)' on, 1i$1:ini the abilityofcompanies or brands to sponsor local and nationalevents and ,tots teamts, especially whenthose,sponsorshipswould be visible to teen ,audiences,would imp t hOt on1y:major entertainment events, but also and perhaps more imjJoDtantly,remove wats that small businesses lend their support to communities. Industryhas 'made great through selfregulation. We urge you all to examine theChildren's and;'IfvemgeAdvertising Initiative and the enormous progr-ess m.a4le over thepast . I' "

req0gnWl the need to address the growing t.rend-9fchildhoodobesity, foodmarketing i$jottty oneaspeet ofthe largerpuzzle. Lackofphysical activity, unhealthy eatinghabits, and $RJcial1ra.ctors, such,as socio-economic status, are additional contributingfactors of cl:Wd-koadP$itY,according 10 the Department ofHealth and Human Serwices. .Ironically, ttiese gaKj' Pres1would restrict companies' efforts to help improve physical fitness intheir local atDWs, bY]!l hihlting them from sponsoring school and community-based athleticprograms, ; )

It is J put forth a set of industry guidelines that inherently contradictfederal are- not sufficient research and analysis. For these'reasonswe urgeyou to wiIlb.


3/3

07/20/2011 10:40 FAX 202 225 2013'!

REP. JOE PITIS

' .. . . . . ",...,..=:. /" . .1'1t17'1 VI "

', ' ' '" ' ' .

\

rJ

.." ..... . .

J.

; I.

I, I

cc: Marijatlet HaJ!D.burg .Con1b!riSSi;tDI'and1'090&'New . pslrire Ave$pring, ,:mo 10993-0002 .ireUt$: !.for . ' aselControl and Prevention12 Elteclrtivel"ark Drive,NE'Atlarlmj; !OA

'1 I.

food letter 06

Documents