Joe Barton: “I want to thank you and thank my friend from Michigan for offering the motion to recommit. Let me say right up front…”

“I want to thank you and thank my friend from Michigan for offering the motion to recommit. Let me say right up front that I don't want to eat anything that has been sitting in the refrigerator for 5 months that hasn't been cooked. Nobody is for that. I don't believe anybody is. I would point out, though, that nothing in this bill prohibits a State from establishing a freshness dating State provision. It is on page 14, and it starts in line 11, and it goes through line 16. Nothing in this section or section 403(a) relating to food shall be construed within a State or political or subdivision of the State from establishing or enforcing or continuing in effect a requirement relating to freshness dating. The gentleman from Michigan's underlying motion to commit doesn't really deal with the dating aspect, as in dating the food, trying to go out on a date with some food, you know. It relates to the fact that it would prevent carbon monoxide, CO, from being used as a preservative in the packaging. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration have, for the last 4 years, permitted that. Right now there is a proceeding at the FDA on a citizen's petition that is directly related to Mr. Stupak's motion to recommit. There is absolutely no need to legislate in this area.…”