Hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manugacturing, and Trade and Subcommittee on Health - "Food Marketing: Can 'Voluntary' Government Restrictions Improve Children's Health?"

Statement

Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement for the record at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and Subcommittee on Health joint hearing entitled "Food Marketing: Can "Voluntary' Government Restrictions Improve Children's Health?":

"Mr. Chairman, I thank you for holding today's hearing. I think every Member of this Committee would agree that child obesity is a national challenge and problem that our country needs to address. We know that obesity during childhood can lead to the development of high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, depression, among other health issues. Even worse, obesity in childhood increases the chance of becoming overweight or obese as adults. Obesity is also a cost-driver in our health system, with the total cost of obesity for children and adults estimated to be $147 billion a year in direct medical costs and over nine percent of all medical costs

"Therefore, I support efforts by the federal government to address improper nutrition among today's youth. I am, however, concerned about the recent actions taken by the Interagency Working Group (IWG) related to food marketing to children in teens. The 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Act established the IWG, consisting of the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Agriculture. The 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Act directed this group to conduct a study and issue a report to Congress regarding their recommendations for standards for marketing food to children. Instead of a report, the IWG issued "Preliminary Proposed Nutrition Principles to Guide Industry Self-Regulatory Efforts." My concern with this Guide is twofold: 1) Congress requested a report on standards for marketing food to children, and 2) the voluntary guide regarding food marketing standards was put together by members of the agencies that regulate the food industry.

"I understand that the proposed guide is not final, and I am hopeful that the IWG will work closely with Congress to ensure their guide reflects the wishes of Congress. Further, moving forward I believe the IWG must work together with industry to ensure that any guide produced on food marketing standards is achievable and accurately reflects the most recent data regarding consumer behavior and advertising impact on obesity."

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