NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell, Stupak Praise Safeway, Inc. for Ceasing Sale of Meat Treated with Carbon Monoxide

Washington, D.C. – Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, today commended Safeway, Inc. for the grocery chain’s decision to discontinue selling fresh meat packed in carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide artificially colors the product and disguises spoilage. This practice is also used by major meat packaging companies.

“Americans place a great deal of trust in the hands of grocers and retailers to sell them safe and healthy products,” said Dingell. “The practice of exposing meat to carbon monoxide deceives consumers and is a potential health hazard. I commend Safeway for its decision to stop selling these meats and I hope other grocers and meat packers will follow suit.”

“I am pleased Safeway decided to stop using carbon monoxide in meat packaging to make meat look red, wholesome and fresh. I hope other companies will follow Safeway’s lead,” said Stupak. “However, it is disconcerting that the Food and Drug Administration continues to regard this deceptive practice as 'Generally Regarded as Safe.' Approximately 20% of the recent seafood treated with carbon monoxide was contaminated or rotten, but looked ‘good’ with carbon monoxide treatment. I will be working through the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to continue pressuring FDA and industry to stop this deceptive practice and will also be pursuing legislation to address the issue of carbon monoxide treated meat.”

Safeway, Inc. announced its new policy yesterday in a letter sent to Dingell and Stupak. The company was responding to a June 26 letter from the two Committee leaders.

See June 26, 2007 letter to Safeway, Inc. »
See July 16, 2007 response from Safeway, Inc. »

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