G. K.

BUTIERFIELD
1ST DISTRICf, NORTH CAROLINA

COMMITIEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE

SUBCOMMITTEES
RANKING MEMBER, COMMERCE,

2305 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3301

MANUFACTURING & TRADE

ENVIRONMENT & THE ECONOMY

(202) 225-3 IO 1
FACSIMILE: (202) 225-3354

www,house.govlbutterfield

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June 29, 2011

CHIEF DEPUTY WHIP

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RECEIVED
JUL 05 1011

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius Secretary United States Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 The Honorable Tom Vilsack Secretary United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue; SW Washington, DC 20250 The Honorable Jon Leibowitz Chairman Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 Dear Secretary Sebelius, Secretary Vilsack, and Chairman Leibowitz:

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

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I write regarding the Interagency Working Group's (lWG) recent proposal entitled "Preliminary Proposed Nutrition Principles to Guide Industry Self-Regulatory Efforts." I understand the IWG's mandate is to produce to Congress "recommendations for standards for the marketing of food when such marketing targets children who are 17 years old or younger or when such food represents a significant component ofthe diets of children." Standards can help consumers better understand the many choices in the marketplace and standards can help industry with its desire to market healthy options. I share the Administration's goal of ending childhood obesity within a generation. I believe the Administration also has a responsibility to advance proposals that are based upon peer-reviewed science and which reflect a careful consideration of benefits and costs. I am concerned that the IWG did not complete a study, as Congress directed, which considers the economic impacts of your proposal on broadcasters, advertisers, manufacturers, retailers, and charitable organizations. Although the IWG proposal would require considerable changes to food recipes and marketing, the IWGhas produced 110 evidence that I am aware ofthat the proposed restrictions will serve the goveminent's goals of changing long-term eating habits.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - - - - - - - - - DISTRICT OFFICES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - -

216 N.E. NASH STREET, STE.B WILSON, NC 27893 TELEPHONE: (252) 237-9816 FACSIMILE: (252) 291-0356

309 WEST THIRD STREET WELDON, NC 27890 TELEPHONE: (252) 538-4123 FACSIMILE: (252) 538-6516

Secretaries Sebelius, Vilsack, and Chairman Leibowitz June 29,2011 Page 2

In addition, I believe the IWG should carefully assess recent changes in food marketing and reformulation. The American consumer wants healthy choices and companies have already acknowledged this by reformulating products to reduce calories, sugar, sodium, and fat, while also dramatically reducing advertising and marketing to children. I do not want your efforts to hinder the strides companies have already made. Any standards should ensure flexibility and creativity. While we all share the Administration's goal of ending childhood obesity, the Administration has a responsibility to advance proposals that are based upon peer-reviewed science and which are based upon a careful consideration of benefits and costs. We urge you to complete a study, as Congress directed, which includes a careful consideration of costs and benefits. If you have any questions, please contact me or Saul Hernandez on my staff at (202) 225-3101. Thank you very much.

G. K. Butterfield
Member of Congress