AWF Urges No Vote on Popcorn Bill H.R. 2693
AWF Will Rate Vote Against H.R. 2693
Washington, D.C. – Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) urges members to vote against H.R. 2693, the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act, commonly referred to as the “Popcorn Bill”.
In short, H.R. 2693 directs the Department of Labor (DOL), through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set standards for maximum exposure to diacetyl, the artificial butter flavoring in popcorn. This chemical, is assumed to cause cancer – although there is not scientific evidence supporting that assumption.
This legislation circumvents the standard process of OSHA testing and evaluating by demanding the Secretary of Labor to issue an interim final standard which regulates worker exposure within 90 days. This “rushed” requirement undermines quality and will, if rushed, unduly place a burden on employers and popcorn manufacturers when no evidence exists that show this chemical is harmful.
Congress should NOT make scientific determinations of a singular cause when no such definitive evidence exists.
H.R. 2693 interferes with corporate business models by mandating additional safety restraints and requirements to regulate a chemical that has not been scientifically proven to cause any disease.
AWF Will Rate Vote Against H.R. 2693
