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UPDATE ON FDA LAWSUIT
On April 26, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted its response to a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF). The FTCLDF lawsuit claims that the federal regulations (21 CFR 1240.61 and 21 CFR 131.110) banning raw milk for human consumption in interstate commerce are unconstitutional and outside of FDA's statutory authority as applied to FTCLDF's members and the named individual plaintiffs in the suit. In its answer to the complaint, FDA made its position on the issue of 'freedom of food choice' a part of the public record. FTCLDF has until June 14 to file a reply to FDA's response.
The agency has long opposed 'freedom of food choice' but its response to the FTCLDF complaint represents FDA's strongest public statement yet on the freedom to obtain and consume the foods of one's choice. The agency's response shows why it is imperative that the food safety bill in the Senate (S 510), which would significantly increase FDA's power, be defeated.
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FDA's Views on Freedom of Choice
Here are some of FDA's views expressed in its response on 'freedom of food choice' in general and on the right to obtain and consume raw milk in particular:
"Plaintiffs' assertion of a new 'fundamental right' to produce, obtain, and consume unpasteurized milk lacks any support in law." [p. 4]
"It is within HHS's authority . . . to institute an intrastate ban [on unpasteurized milk] as well." [p. 6]
"Plaintiffs' assertion of a new 'fundamental right' under substantive due process to produce, obtain, and consume unpasteurized milk lacks any support in law." [p.17]
"There is no absolute right to consume or feed children any particular food." [p. 25]
"There is no 'deeply rooted' historical tradition of unfettered access to foods of all kinds." [p. 26]
"Plaintiffs' assertion of a 'fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health, which includes what foods they do and do not choose to consume for themselves and their families' is similarly unavailing because plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish." [p. 26]
FDA's brief goes on to state that "even if such a right did exist, it would not render FDA's regulations unconstitutional because prohibiting the interstate sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk promotes bodily and physical health." [p. 27] "There is no fundamental right to freedom of contract." [p. 27] |
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The Fight for Food Freedom
Growing numbers of people in this country are obtaining the foods of their choice through private contractual arrangements such as buyers' club agreements and herdshare contracts. FDA's position is that the agency can interfere with these agreements because, in FDA's view, there is no fundamental right to enter into a private contract to obtain the foods of choice from the source of choice. As for the agency's contention that there is no fundamental right to obtain any food, including raw milk, here is what the 'substantive due process' clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides: no person shall "be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." Obtaining the foods of your choice is so basic to life, liberty and property that it is inconceivable that the 'right of food choice' would not be protected under the Constitution but FDA is saying "No".
The fight for food freedom is at a crucial point. The U.S. Senate is threatening to pass a food safety bill, S 510 - "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act", which would greatly increase FDA's power to regulate food. The House of Representatives has already passed a food safety bill, HR 2749. The final version of the food safety bill would give FDA the power to quarantine the movement of food within a state without judicial oversight and the power to levy draconian fines against food producers for reasons unrelated to food safety. Moreover, the bill would substantially increase FDA's power to regulate intrastate commerce to the extent that even a roadside vegetable stand would come under federal jurisdiction.
Here are links to two articles on food safety legislation:
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Take Action
The immediate step for people to take is to contact their Senators and ask them to oppose S 510. Inform them FDA has publicly stated that you have no fundamental right to obtain the food of your choice and no fundamental right to your own bodily and physical health.
Contact information for your U.S. Senators can be found at http://www.opencongress.org/people/senators
As mentioned in an FTCLDF action alert last week, readers should also contact FDA to ask that the agency stop its harassment of farmers that it suspects are selling or distributing raw milk across state lines. Click here to go to the alert and a sample letter to write FDA posted at http://www.ftcldf.org/aa/aa-26april2010.htm
As David Gumpert has stated, raw milk is a proxy issue to the larger issue of food rights. The FDA is a threat to both. |
 The Fund will have a May Agtivist Apparel Sale. 40% off all apparel. Use discount code: SPRINGSALE at checkout (does not apply to closeout deals).
This is an excellent time to update your wardrobe! Please visit Shop Online
The sale is for the entire month of May!! (ends Memorial Day) |
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 NOW AVAILABLE - Raw Milk Symposium CDs
Buy your copy now for family, friends, farmers or federal agents!
Extend the excellent educational value of the April 10, 2010 2nd Annual International Raw Milk Symposium in Madison, Wisconsin.
For a limited time, buy the 8 - CD Set for $47 and receive a bonus CD for FREE - Mark McAfee's stirring presentation at the FundRAISER dinner. Please visit:
Shop Online Educational DVD-CDs |
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