13164 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS June 10, 1986 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS FAST FOOD LABELING the Atlanta Constitution editorial be Diabetes is a disease in which the body reprinted in the RECORD. does not produce or properly use insulin, a The material follows: hormone used to convert sugar, starches, HON. JOHN H. CHAFEE and other foods to energy. A strict regimen OF RHODE ISLAND [From the Atlanta Constitution] of proper diet and exercise is critical to the FEDS SHOULD CHEW ON FAST-FOOD STANDARDS management of diabetes and its complica­ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES tions by people who have "Type I" insulin­ If you are what you eat, then Lord knows Tuesday, June 10, 1986 dependent diabetes and "Type II" non-insu­ what you are if, like millions of Americans, lin dependent diabetes. Therefore, persons • Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, last you make up any notable part of your diet with diabetes who dine in fast food restau­ month I introduced legislation <S. at the counters of the nation's ubiquitous rants must pay careful attention to the 2446) calling on the U.S. Department fast-food restaurants. choices they make in order to avoid eating of Agriculture and the Food and Drug There are a few exceptions. The Atlanta­ foods that might unnecessarily elevate their based Arby's chain provided listings of its blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, there is Administration to enforce Federal la­ ingredients to the Center for Science in the beling requirements as they apply to little or no information available by which Public Interest in Washington. Joliet, Ill., to judge levels of calories, sodium, fat, and fast food. has a law requiring all restaurants to dis­ sugar in the products offered by fast food These requirements state that all close what type of fats they use; the mayor restaurants. Therefore, people with diabetes food sold in a packaged form must pushed it through after his bypass surgery. often find they cannot avail themselves of bear a list of ingredients on its label. And now, in New York state, by way of set­ the products offered by fast food franchises, In the case of fast food, these laws tling a dispute over claims in its ads for or must select from a confusing array of have not been enforced. Thus, my bill chicken NcNuggets, McDonald's has agreed choices with little or no nutritional or die­ does not create a new requirement, but to begin giving customers brochures listing tary information. ingredients and nutritional data. For this reason the ADA believes that S. simply seeks enforcement of an exist­ Most of us, however, are eating blind in ing one. 2446 would not only help the American con­ this land of Whoppers and Chicken Planks. sumer in general in making intelligent die­ The intent here is not to tell people As a result, we are playing roulette with our tary choices, but would in particular allow what to eat or restaurants what to allergies, with the management of some people with diabetes make more informed serve. It is simply to make the facts high blood pressures, with the potential for and rational choices in fast food restau­ available, so that consumers get what heart and vascular disease. We are unable to rants. We believe the timely introduction of they want-and only what they want. make what should be routine decisions your bill is yet another example of the Fast food is a staple in the American about what we eat. A hamburger is not just growing awareness of the relationship be­ a hamburger when it may ha\'e been fried in tween proper diet and good health, and diet-and with good reason. Busy either saturated or unsaturated fats, may people-48 million of them a day­ stand ready to assist you in any way we can include this preservative or that, or no pre­ as the Senate considers this important legis­ have come to rely on it for quick, inex­ servative, and may or may not be loaded lation. pensive meals. Fast food doesn't have with salt. Sincerely, to to be high in saturated fat, sodium The ignorance is poor public policy and, SANDRA SEGAL POLIN, or sugar-and not all of it is. But long term, is almost sure to be bad business Chairperson, unless we know what's in it, how can as well. Committee on Government Relations.• we tell the good from the bad? U.S. agencies have long conceded that, technically, the law requiring disclosure of Telling consumers what's in fast ingredients in packaged or wrapped foods food would kick off a whole new kind JAPANESE-AMERICAN COAL applies to the food served in franchise eater­ INDUSTRY of competition among the fast food ies, but the government brazenly has said it giants. We'd get better quality food, will not enforce the law on fast food unless and more choices. And we'd see new compelled to. A petition by the public-inter­ HON. HAROLD ROGERS versions of old favorites-ones that est science center calling for enforcement OF KENTUCKY has been rejected by the Department of Ag­ taste just as good, but don't promote IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES heart disease. riculture and, almost a year after being filed, remains under study, if that's what it Tuesday, June 10, 1986 It's true, not everyone reads food is, at the Food and Drug Administration. labels-but we all benefit from them Legislation will be introduced in Congress Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, recently Carl E. whether we read them or not. This is soon to order enforcement. Congress should Bagge, president of the National Coal Asso­ because product labeling forces a adopt it. But lawmakers also should recog­ ciation, delive[ed the keytone address at the measure of honesty on those trying to nize that step as just a first one. Ingredients Fifth Japan-United States Coal Conference. get us to buy their products. And with­ disclosure and nutritional data should be re­ Mr. Bagge's remarks are vitally important. out reliable information, the consumer quired of all restaurants. Japan is one of the most important coal mar­ hasn't a leg to stand on. The salute, after all, is bon appetit, not kets in the world today. Unfortunately, despite "lots of luck." This proposal continues to receive years of negotiation, Japan has consistently widespread support. The American Di­ AMERICAN DIABETEs AssociATION, INc., reduced their purchases of American coal and abetes Association recently added its Alexandria, VA, June 4, 1986. has even failed to comply with the minimal re­ name to the list of consumer and Hon. JOHN CHAFEE, quirements of the Reagan/Nakasone Joint health groups which have endorsed S. U.S. Senate, Policy Statement on Energy Cooperation. 2446. And in a recent editorial, The At­ Washington, DC. Mr. Bagge's remarks not only point to the lanta Constitution embraced the con­ DEAR SENATOR CHAFEE: On behalf of the Japanese failure to purchase more American cept of fast food labeling, stating that American Diabetes Association <ADA), the coal. But they also make clear how it is in the the lack of information about fast Nation's leading voluntary health organiza­ best mutual interests of our nations to build tion representing the interests of over 11 food ingredients is not only poor million Americans with diabetes, I wish to on this coal trade. public policy, but could prove to be convey our endorsement of S. 2446, legisla­ I would like to file Mr. Bagge's statement for bad business as well. tion which would require fast food restau­ the RECORD and to urge my colleagues to Mr. President, I ask that copies of rants to provide a list of ingredients used in consider his comments. the ADA letter of endorsement and of the food they sell. The statement follows: e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which ace not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather· than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. June 10, 1986 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 13165 THE FUTURE GARDEN OF TRADE: EXQUISITE OR If some among you found offense in it, But we have learned that it is the little NEGLECTED? none was intended and I am regretful. But foundation rocks that uphold the theme of To the honored Chairman of the Dai­ you must understand that it rang true an exquisite garden, not the big, visible Nippon delegation; to the other assembled among businessmen in America, in Canada, ones. daimyo of Japanese industry: You have the in Australia, and among the businessmen of So in America there is receptivity to the heartfelt thanks of all for the generous hos­ many nations who face similar situations, Maekawa theme. But there will be no sur­ pitality and the meticulous courtesy you My inspiration then was true wisdom prise if it comes to naught, or to grudging accord us. Nevertheless I speak with a sense handed down in "A Book of Five Rings." Be­ little because this is what experience is of sadness, of regret and, almost, of resigna­ cause an important friendship was at stake, teaching. tion. I spoke frankly the mind of America; and I In America there is hope for the goals out­ It is unseemly so soon after what the pleaded with you to use the skills Musashi lined in the Triumph of Tokyo. But there President called the Triumph of Tokyo-the recommended: The two-fold gaze of sight will be no surprise if it comes to nothing but economic summit at which Japan won much and perception, and the understanding of talking about the need to really talk-some­ honor-to draw attention to the Failure of background timing; not to prevail, but to day.