07/20/2011 10:39 FAX
202 225 2013
REP. JOE PITrS
lCongrts9' of tbt Otdttb
ED5(Jington.
20515
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July 18, 2011
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The
of Agnculttire 1400 Indep . - . ,ce SW . Wasbingtollj . 202SlO The Chainnam. Ii;
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Secretary
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The HOhorable Kathleen Sebelius
SecretarY .
Department ofHealth and Human:Services 200 IndepeIidence SW _ Washington, D.C. 20201
Federal ;. . 600 Pennsyl aAvfMIue,!N.W.
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Dear Secreup,r 21,000
Sderetary Sebelius. and Chainnan Leibowitz:
leliding confectionery producing in the nation,. ptoviding and producing approximately $9.3 billionworth of pt0ducts'i1!Y, we 'Write to express our significant and immediate concerns over the '. , _Preliminary! - . osed Nutrition Principles to Food Marketed to Children bythe-Intemgency .. urge you to wi1hdraw these overreachingand misguid.itd principles Working that blatantlt an industry that has made extensive voluntary over the years to adverthingllto children. : . . represent an alarming regulatory overreach on the part ofinembers Group. As you know, the FY 2009 Omnibl:Js Appropriations Act directed-the IlJ$Ii>A, Ft!c, cnc, and FTC to complete a study and to provide recommendations in the'form df.:reportlto Onngress. However, for reasons that remain the Interagency W C0mplete the study or deliver a report, but instead proceeded to propose sweeping niliJIketi1!lg goideline.s. While the principles put forth by the Interagency Wotking :onIlIptme they are still cause for concern. as they appear to be atl-a.ttcm1pt to regulate action. At a time of bUdget constraints and competing >agency . Priorities, it :is itubHnk to learn that valuable agency resources have been diverted. to seek objectives ibe iJIltent ofCongress. of the
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sed nutrition standards, most food and beverage products I1UUIUfactured in the state a could no' longer be marketed to children and teens. In addition, the Interagency:\Vlijking i . up proposed marketing restrictions -have the potential to impede the business andieon$lunity involvement of many of Pennsylvania's leading food and beverage those that manufacture and market the vflSt majmity :of chocolate and sugar saitl in the United States. By broadly marketing to include
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PRINTED ON IlECYCLEO PAPER
07/20/2011 10:40 FAX
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202 225 2013
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REP. JOE PITTS
med1a, co packages products,
a ' on, 1i$1:ini the ability of companies or brands to sponsor local and national events and ,tots teamts, especially when those, sponsorships would be visible to teen ,audiences, would imp t hOt on1y:major entertainment events, but also and perhaps more imjJoDtantly, remove that small businesses lend their support to communities. Industry has ' made great through selfregulation. We urge you all to examine the and;'Ifvemge Advertising Initiative and the enormous progr-ess m.a4le over the Children's past . I' "
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d$plays, _well as television, radio, abies wetud tiCt be permttted to use eqwty characters or sports heroes on many hbuld longer design and market seasonal shaped and seasonal Wrapped . chocolate Easter Bunnies and Santas. I
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req0gnWl the need to address the growing t.rend-9f childhood obesity, food marketing i$j ottty one aspeet ofthe larger puzzle. Lack ofphysical activity, unhealthy eating and$RJcial1ra.ctors, such, as socio-economic status, are additional contributing habits, factors of cl:Wd-koad tY, according 10 the Department ofHealth and Human Serwices. . Ironically, ttiese gaKj' Pres1would restrict companies' efforts to help improve physical fitness in their local atDWs, bY]!l hihlting them from sponsoring school and community-based athletic programs, ;)
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put forth a set ofindustry guidelines that inherently contradict are- not sufficient research and analysis. For these'reasons we urge you to wiIlb.<law the Plefurlinary Proposed Nutrition Principles to Food Marketed to Children direction to complete the study required by Congress and and proccectllw.i1h the comply Order 13653 by assessing the cost ofthe proposed marketing restrictions, the costS, and demonStrating that the proposed restrictions ensuring will help corisumers bliBId &ealthy diets, based on objective science.
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Sincerely,
_1'!tJo1511
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