An amendment to ban Chinese-processed chicken from school lunches that was co-authored by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has been enacted as part of the long-term budget bill passed by Congress late last week.
DeLauro, a Democrat about to begin her 13th term, represents Milford.
DeLauro and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, both members of the House Appropriations Committee, successfully added their provision to a bill funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) earlier this year.
Congressional leaders then included the provision in the omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through the end of next September. Federal fiscal years begin Oct. 1.
The omnibus spending bill passed the U.S House on Thursday and the U.S. Senate on Sunday early morning. DeLauro voted against the overall bill.
‘China’s food safety record is atrocious’
“Banning Chinese chicken from school meals is a common-sense step to protect our kids,” DeLauro said.
“China’s food safety record is atrocious, yet last year USDA deemed poultry processed in China to be as safe as poultry processed here,” she said.
“Children are among the most susceptible to food-borne illness,” DeLauro said. “We cannot take unnecessary risks with their health.”
Pingree: ‘Serious food safety problems’
Pingree, a Maine Democrat, said even Chinese consumers can be leery of eating chicken processed in their country.
“Chinese chicken does not belong in school lunches,” Pingree said. “China has such serious food safety problems that even Chinese consumers don’t feel safe eating some of the food that is processed there.”
— as edited by Brad Durrell for the Milford Mirror