Matheson Seeks Lead Warning Label on Food Containers

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson today proposed adding a warning label for ceramic dishes and other food containers to alert consumers of possible lead content.  Matheson—a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee—offered his amendment during consideration in committee of a comprehensive consumer protection reform bill.

“Tests by Utah health department labs show lead content in dishes that exceeds the federal standard. Nursing mothers who prepared and ate food using those dishes inadvertently passed it on to their babies.  Utah families deserve to know what they may be purchasing in order to make informed choices about what products they use in their homes,” said Matheson.

Matheson is a cosponsor of HR 4040—the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007.  The bill already includes a section on children’s product safety which incorporates three elements of a Matheson bill promoting toy safety. Matheson wants the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop testing standards throughout the process—from design through manufacture—for all children’s toys and products.  He also wants product testing by a qualified independent testing lab.

Matheson notes that health experts agree there is no such thing as a “safe” level of lead exposure for children.  Particularly for kids under age six, the health risks to their brains and central nervous systems are grave.

Utah’s experience with high levels of lead in dinnerware highlights the need for stricter warnings by both the CPSC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Matheson said.

During a question and answer between Matheson and Committee Chair John Dingell, Matheson pointed out the complexity of competing oversight between the two federal agencies and he suggested both could do more to protect the public health.  Chairman Dingell agreed, calling the problem a “real risk to the public” and an issue of “great concern” that must be addressed. Dingell said Matheson’s issue would be included in the committee report and in a future bill about food safety and the Food and Drug Administration.

 

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