The National Grocers Association (NGA) released the following statement supporting the introduction of a bi-partisan bill, House Resolution 1249 The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2013, by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the chain restaurant menu labeling provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) as Congress intended.
“The National Grocers Association commends Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Loretta Sanchez for introducing H.R. 1249, The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2013, to ensure FDA does not exceed its authority under the statute by expanding this provision beyond chain restaurants,” said Greg Ferrara, VP of public affairs for NGA. “This legislation ensures independent retail grocers are not subjected to millions of dollars in new and unnecessary expenses and administrative burdens because of regulatory overreach. Grocery stores are not chain restaurants, which is why Congress did not include them in the law. NGA and its members look forward to working with Congress to pass this important legislation so that our members can remain focused on growing their businesses and creating jobs.”
At a press conference on Capitol Hill today, Rep. McMorris Rodgers and Sanchez were joined by other bipartisan leaders as well as representatives from NGA and other trade associations.
Representing the supermarket industry was Lorelei Mottese, director of government relations for Wakefern Food Corp.
“Estimates to implement this regulation across the supermarket industry, where the average profit margin is less than 1 percent, exceeds $1 billion,” said Mottese. “Simply put, grocery stores are not chain restaurants, and operate much differently. That’s why Congress chose not to include us in the chain restaurant menu labeling law.”
