DeLauro Response to Latest Food Safety Recall

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today in response to the recall announced by the FDA of hydrolyzed vegetable protein, an ingredient commonly used in processed food:

"This recall clearly reinforces the FDA's need for legislation that allows the agency to focus on prevention – prevention of contamination and prevention of these contaminated products from entering the marketplace. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly on strong food safety legislation to prevent unsafe food from entering our grocery stores and homes in the first place.

"Thankfully, in this case, the company that was sent a contaminated product notified the FDA and we currently do not know of any people that have become sick because of this ingredient. But this contaminated ingredient – hydrolyzed vegetable protein – should not have been allowed to enter the marketplace. The Reportable Food Registry that enabled this recall is a step in the right direction, but consumers deserve more.

"Legislation empowering the FDA to be a more proactive agency has been passed by the House, and I hope the Senate will act on the legislation soon."