RELEASE: NUNNELEE AMENDMENT TO PREVENT DUPLICATION ADOPTED
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) during markup of the Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill.
The amendment adds report language encouraging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to accept certain types of clear, visible calorie displays on products served through vending machines.
“Section 4205 of the Affordable Care Act requires calories be disclosed at the point of purchase for items of food sold through vending machines,” said Nunnelee. “The FDA has issued a proposed rule that may be interpreted to require vending operators to duplicate posting by posting signage near the vending machine or other ways that disclose calories at the point of purchase.
“Many manufacturers have voluntarily begun disclosing calorie information on the front of the packaging. This common sense amendment simply offers report language encouraging FDA to amend the rule to state that calorie disclosure requirements are met by providing a clear, visible display of calories on the front of the package of such an article of food on the front of the vending machine,” concluded Nunnelee.
The Committee approved the Agriculture Appropriations bill, to include the Nunnelee amendment, by a vote of 31-18. This is the fifth of 12 appropriations bills approved by the Committee for FY15. The proposed legislation now awaits House floor action.
5/29/14
Magnolia Tribune
