A GOP-sponsored bill to supercede consumer-safety warning labels on food in most states will prohibit scientifically accurate warnings about mercury levels in tuna high enough to cause measurable neurological damage in fetuses. The FDA is backing the lower standards and is suing states that attempt to impose more accurate warning labels.

All 50 states have laws that require point of purchase food safety notices of one kind or another. Under the bill introduced by Republican Mike Rogers of Michigan and co-sponsored by 200 of his closest friends and accomplices (with the encouragement of numerous lobbyists), some 80 laws in 37 states would be eliminated, pre-empted by Federal authority. That will improve interstate commerce by eliminating the confusion of separate food safety warnings in the different states. You have to admire the flexibility and pragmatic attitude of “states rights” Republicans. They aren’t bound by principle.

Of course there is a little more to it. Like tuna. Because in fact the main target is California’s attempt to put strong warnings on tuna because of mercury contamination. Mercury is a known neurotoxin, and a series of landmark studies conducted in the Faroe Islands by Philippe Grandjean and his colleagues has shown that levels of mercury commonly encountered by consumers may have effects on fetal development.

California is being sued by the Tuna Foundation and their suit was joined by the FDA. And you thought the FDA was on the side of consumers? Silly you. Did you forget about Vioxx? At issue is the belief by independent scientists, the American Public Health Association and the American Medical Association that the current FDA mercury advisory is not protective and would allow exposures of an estimated 600,000 fetuses above current EPA reference levels.

Attempts by Democrats to postpone or modify the gutting of state control over food warnings were to no avail. Representative Lois Capps, a Democrat representing Santa Barbara in southern California tried to exempt state laws dealing with birth defect warnings but was defeated 32 – 31. California Democrat Henry Waxman’s amendment to permit states to help parents limit their children’s exposure to cancer-causing agents or developmental toxins was also defeated, 26 – 19.

No comment necessary.

Hat tip: Effect Measure.