The Cancer Free Label Act
HR 6191 IH
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6191
To establish programs in the executive branch to permit the labeling of certain products that do not contain any carcinogens as ‘Cancer-Free’, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2012
Mr. DEUTCH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish programs in the executive branch to permit the labeling of certain products that do not contain any carcinogens as ‘Cancer-Free’, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Cancer-Free Label Act of 2012’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:
(1) Approximately 1.5 million Americans, including children, are diagnosed with cancer annually.
(2) Over 500,000 Americans die from cancer every year.
(3) Less than 5 percent of all cancers are caused by genetic factors.
(4) Cancer is the top cause of disease-related death for American children and adolescents.
(5) Children are more vulnerable to environmental carcinogens than adults.
(6) Reducing exposure to carcinogens reduces risk of cancer.
(7) The average consumer currently lacks the ability to easily identify products that do not contain carcinogens.
(8) Consumers benefit from additional information about the potential health impact of products they use.
(9) When comparing products to purchase for their families, many consumers use potential health impact as a determining factor.
(10) The 2008-2009 Annual Report of the President’s Cancer Panel urges action to prevent environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogens.
(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to enable consumers to reduce their exposure to carcinogens by allowing manufacturers to affix a Cancer-Free label to products that do not contain known or probable carcinogens through a voluntary process that does not require public disclosure of trade secrets.
SEC. 3. CANCER-FREE LABELS.
(a) In General- The head of each Federal department or agency that regulates a covered product shall establish in that department or agency a program to permit the labeling of covered products that do not contain any carcinogens as ‘Cancer-Free’.
(b) Development of Label- The heads of each Federal department or agency that regulates a covered product shall coordinate to develop an easily recognizable label to be affixed to a covered product to signify that the product has been approved for labeling as ‘Cancer-Free’. Such label shall include the following notice: ‘This product does not contain known or likely carcinogens that increase your risk of cancer.’.
