Leaders from the frozen food industry gathered in Washington, DC on April 11 to meet with Congressional representatives and staff during the American Frozen Food Institute’s (AFFI) 2024 Government Action Summit. Attendees called for Congress to support science-based regulatory decision-making from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and passage of the Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (SHOPP) Act.
“Virtually every household in the United States enjoys frozen food, and America’s frozen food processors work diligently to provide the safe, nutritious and high-quality foods that families expect,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “The Government Action Summit is the opportunity for our membership to collectively voice the industry’s call for practical, science-based policies that will both benefit consumers and allow for future innovation and growth.”
Members of the frozen food industry specifically focused on three key policy requests on Capitol Hill, as detailed below:
Federally-Managed Chemical Review Process
AFFI asks that Congress appropriately fund the US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Human Foods Program and Office of Chemical Safety in its function dedicated to post-market chemical review, thus supporting an effective and uniform federal approach to chemical and ingredient review. The funding should be allocated toward hiring additional personnel, facilitating stakeholder engagement and implementing risk management measures as necessitated.
Science-Driven Listeria Policy
AFFI calls on Congress require the FDA to incorporate the latest available science regarding Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) as the agency updates its Compliance Policy Guide. Scientific findings clearly demonstrate that frozen foods do not support the growth of Lm and thus the pathogen poses only a remote public health risk in such foods.
SHOPP Act
AFFI calls for passage of the Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (SHOPP) Act. This would amend and modernize the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) and Produce Prescription Program, which currently either overwhelmingly or completely exclude frozen fruits and vegetables. The SHOPP Act has a slate of bipartisan support in both the US House and Senate.
“Whether through reduced food waste thanks to its longer shelf life, delicious new offerings and global flavors, or array of better-for-you recipes, frozen food provides valuable benefits to consumers,” said Bodor. “AFFI is pleased to bring its membership to Congress to further tell this story and engage in the policy making process.”
