NACS-Supported Legislation Moves Through Congress

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee voted on November 4 to pass menu-labeling and synthetic drug legislation.

November 05, 2015

WASHINGTON – Yesterday the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee voted to pass legislation important to the convenience store industry.  H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015, introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), passed the subcommittee yesterday by voice vote and now moves to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.  The legislation would make menu-labeling compliance possible for convenience store owners, and result in consumers obtaining more nutrition information and a greater amount of choices.

During opening statements, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said that H.R. 2017 would make federal menu-labeling requirements workable, so that businesses with different business models can comply and provide consumers with nutrition information in the most meaningful manner.

During debate, the committee’s top Democrat, Frank Pallone (NJ), voiced some opposition to the legislation. He recognized that problems exist but believes FDA can resolve them on its own. However, he did not urge others to oppose the bill, nor did he call for a recorded vote on the bill’s passage. NACS does not believe that FDA can or would even want to address the failings in the rule the bill seeks to address, as evidenced by the fact the agency has not addressed these issues despite frequent requests for comments from NACS and our industry allies.

“We commend the subcommittee and its leadership for recognizing that convenience stores need some flexibility in addressing and complying with menu-labeling regulations and this legislation codifies a less burdensome approach,” said Lyle Beckwith, NACS senior vice president of government relations, in a press statement. “It will also allow for FDA to meet the objectives of the menu-labeling law without unnecessarily burdening retailers and confusing customers.”

Foodservice has become an increasingly important element of convenience store operations and constitutes $42 billion in sales, or 19% of total in-store sales dollars. Convenience stores not only offer consumers the fuel they need for their vehicles, but also prepared foods, beverages and other immediate consumable products that meet customer demand for speed of service, and healthier food options to-go.  Many convenience stores offer their foodservice program or partner with other chains.

Accompanying this House committee action on the legislation was last week’s introduction of the Senate version the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015, S. 2217. NACS needs your help to urge your senators to show their support for the bill and sign on as co-sponsors. Log onto the NACS grassroots page and in minutes you can let your voice be heard on this issue. 

During the same mark up yesterday, the subcommittee passed another bill NACS endorses: the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2015 (H.R. 3537). This legislation, introduced by Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA), would make it easier for law enforcement to combat the growing use of synthetic drugs in the United States by adding some of these chemical combinations to the list of scheduled drugs and making it easier for law enforcement to categorize new versions as illegal as well. NACS remains committed to prohibiting the sale of these kinds of products in convenience stores. 

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