Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Childhood Obesity and Advertising

Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on
Childhood Obesity and Advertising
WASHINGTON, DC – The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) issued the following statement today regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on childhood obesity and advertising:
Obesity – especially childhood obesity – is a serious problem. That is why America’s food and beverage companies enthusiastically share First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation. All stakeholders – public health professionals, industry, parents, schools, government, communities and non-governmental organizations – must do their part if we are going to meet the First Lady’s goal.
The health and wellness of our consumers has always been a top priority, and we have accelerated our effort to help consumers build healthier lifestyles in recent years. We have:
• Changed more than 20,000 products to reduce calories, fat, sodium and sugar.
• Pledged to remove 1.5 trillion calories from the food supply by 2015.
• Launched Nutrition Keys, a front-of-pack nutrition labeling initiative that will provide consumers – especially busy parents – with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions when they shop.
• Applied strict nutrition criteria to our advertising.
America’s pediatricians are on the front lines in the battle against obesity and in developing science-based and proven weight management strategies for their patients. Unfortunately, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on obesity and the media is based largely on outdated research that does not adequately reflect the current marketplace environment and trends.

Because of the robust voluntary standards adopted by America’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, the advertising landscape looks entirely different today that it did in 2005 when most of the studies used to support the AAP position were conducted.

The number of food and beverage ads seen on shows viewed primarily by children has decreased 50 percent since 2004. Ads for cookies and soft drinks fell by 96 percent. Ads for frozen pizza, gum, mints, candy waffles and pancakes each fell by at least 70 percent.
Much of this progress can be attributed to the commitment of those companies that make up the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI). Under CFBAI (launched in 2006), seventeen of America’s largest food and beverage companies apply science-based nutrition standards to marketing viewed by children, including television advertising and digital media.

In addition, the AAP policy position stands in direct contrast to a 2005 Institute of Medicine study that concluded, “…there is presently insufficient causal evidence that links advertising directly with childhood obesity and that would support a ban on all food advertising directed to children.”
The food and beverage industry looks forward to working with our nation’s healthcare providers to promote science-based, tried and true solutions to obesity. A healthy diet and more physical activity, rather than bans or restrictions, are the keys to a healthy lifestyle. America’s food and beverage companies will continue to provide consumers with the healthier product choices, tools and information they need to construct and maintain a healthy diet.

Do not eat Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts

FDA PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2011
Media Inquiries: Stephanie Yao, 301-796-0394, stephanie.yao@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA: Do not eat Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts
Sprouts may contain Salmonella Enteritidis; pathogen different from the one in European outbreak
Fast Facts
• The FDA is warning consumers not to eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts from plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc."
• The sprouts are possibly linked to 20 reported cases, including one hospitalization, of Salmonella Enteritidis in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington State.
• The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.
• Consumers, retailers and others who have alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts in plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc." should discard them in a sealed container so people and animals, including wild animals, cannot eat them.

What is the Problem?
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts. The sprouts are possibly linked to 20 reported cases, including one hospitalization, of Salmonella Enteritidis in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington State. The strain of S. Enteritidis is rarely seen at this frequency.
The pathogen associated with this outbreak is different from the pathogen associated with the outbreak in Europe.
What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, some individuals may require hospitalization from severe diarrhea. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites. It can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection.
Who is at Risk?
The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection. The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in these vulnerable populations. Most healthy individuals recover from Salmonella infections within four to seven days without treatment.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts from plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc." Consumers, retailers and others who have sprouts in plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc." should throw them away in a sealed container so people and animals, including wild animals, cannot eat them.
Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating possibly contaminated sprouts should consult their health care providers.
Sprouts are a known source of foodborne illness. Since 1996, there have been at least 30 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with different types of raw and lightly cooked sprouts. Most of these outbreaks were caused by Salmonella and E. coli. The FDA advises that children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean sprouts). To reduce the chance of foodborne illness, FDA advises consumers to cook sprouts thoroughly and to request raw sprouts not be added to your food.
What Does the Product Look Like?
The possibly contaminated alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts are sold in plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc."
The alfalfa sprouts are packaged in 4-ounce and 16-ounce plastic bags with pre-printed labels. They are also packaged in 1-pound and 5-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels.
The spicy sprouts are packaged in 4-ounce plastic bags with pre-printed labels and 1-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels.
Where is it Distributed?
To date, the FDA is aware of distribution in Idaho, Montana and Washington State. However, consumers and retailers in neighboring states should check the product label to ensure they are not eating or selling Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts.
What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA is investigating the problem in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health agencies in those states where illnesses have occurred. The investigation is ongoing. The FDA is also working with state authorities to take appropriate action to address any product that may be remaining on the market.
Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers with questions about sprout safety should contact 1-800-SAFEFOOD.
The information in this press release reflects the FDA's best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

Eagle Produce, LLC Recalls Cantaloupe Due To Possible Health Risk 06/24/2011 06:37 PM EDT

Eagle Produce, LLC Recalls Cantaloupe Due To Possible Health Risk
06/24/2011 06:37 PM EDT

Scottsdale, AZ - Eagle Produce, LLC of Scottsdale, Arizona has announced a limited recall of certain cantaloupes shipped from Arizona to upstate New York in late May, due to their potential to be contaminated with salmonella. Although no illnesses have been reported, Eagle Produce has voluntarily decided to recall the potentially affected shipments, which were sold at Sam’s Club between June 2 and June 17, 2011. Sam’s Club has withdrawn all cantaloupes from the Clubs and sent a notification to Members that bought these melons from Clubs served by the Johnstown, NY and Pottsville, PA distribution centers.

CFU and CDC Support Legislation to Improve Dairy Producer Prices

CFU and CDC Support Legislation to Improve Dairy Producer Prices

TURLOCK, CA (June 23, 2011) – California Farmers Union (CFU) President Joaquin Contente and California Dairy Campaign (CDC) President Joe Augusto today sent a letter to National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) President Ben Burkett in support of the legislative reforms called for in the NFFC backed legislation titled the “Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act”. The legislation would pay dairy producers based upon their cost of production, manage milk inventories to meet market demand and address the impact of unregulated concentrated dairy imports. The letter stated:

“The reforms called for in the FMMO Improvement Act would ensure that dairy farmers nationwide have the ability to receive a fair price from the marketplace. In contrast, the proposal put forward by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) titled “Foundation for the Future” as currently proposed fails to address the fundamental challenges facing dairy producers now and in the future.
“Under the reforms in the “Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act” dairy producers would be able to receive a fair price because the producer price would be based upon the national average cost of production. Dairy producers throughout California are paying record high prices for feed and it is important that future dairy policy take into account production costs as called for in the “Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act”.
“The “FMMO Improvement Act” would also address the greatest threats to the future of dairy farmer nationwide. It would finally address the impact of unregulated imports of concentrated dairy products that continue to displace a greater and greater share of domestic demand for milk and dairy products. It would further eliminate the use of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) as a price discovery method and instead formulate producer price based on the cost of production. In contrast, the NMPF plan fails to address unregulated concentrated dairy imports and its federal order reform proposal would lead to lower producer prices.”
Comprised of more than 1400 farmer, and rancher members, CFU advocates policies to lawmakers at the state and national levels on behalf of its membership throughout California. The California Dairy Campaign (CDC), a member organization, is a grassroots organization of dairy farmers who are working to encourage lawmakers and the dairy industry to be more responsive to the needs of the family dairy farm in California. CFU is a state chapter of NFU, which represents more than 250,000 members nationwide. NFU works to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and their communities.