NRA moves to prevent F.D.A.'s chain unit inspections

Nation's Restaurant News, June 18, 1984 by Charles Bernstein

CHICAGO--Warning that a Food and Drug Administration program to "evaluate" or inspect food-service chain units poses a serious threat to the industry, the National Restaurant Association has called for an end to the projected F.D.A. interference.

"This program is merely imposing an additional level of inspection on multiunit operators and does not reduce or eliminate any of the current inspection programs," declared NRA energy and technical-services committee chairman Guss Dussin (president of the Portland, Ore.-based Old Spaghetti Factory) at the NRA board's spring meeting here.

He noted an additional threat that "the document generated by such inspections is a Federal document and subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act. "We all recognize the unfair damage that may occur to a company when all of their stores can be painted as violators or marginal because of misuse of the information found in these reports."

The real problem emphasized by Dussin and other board members is that while the F.D.A., in cooperation with state agencies, inspects a "representative sample" of a chain's units, any violations found are presumed to exist in all the chain's units. Although the program is aimed at eliminating the need to inspect all of a chain's units, the net effect could be self-defeating since thousands of state and local regulations would have to be changed to meet the objective.

Acting on motions by Government-relations committee director Jim Hasslocher, the board voted to implement steps "to encourage the establishment of safe standards for use of food additives," to cooperate in "requiring additive information from our suppliers and to whatever extent possible communicate that to our customers," to "disseminate medical information to appropriate medical authorities" and to "customers sensitive to sulfiting agents" of their possible presence in "specific menu items."

Ernest Royal, who is stepping down as NRA human-resources committee chairman after many years, disclosed contractual plans for a wide-ranging program to encourage the training and "gainful" employment of mentally retarded persons in the restaurant industry. Royal and NRA human-resources director Walter Aschcraft were presented with a special plaque and thanks from the National Institute for Mental Health "for working so hard to find employment in the restaurant industry for people who have recovered from mental problems."

Harris Rusitzky, chairman of the NRA's communications committee, warned the board that the next six months "will be critical for our responsible plans to handle the drunk driving liability issue" and that "there are a lot of people who would like all restaurants to close their doors by 9 p.m. each night." (Full story on the NRA's alcohol awareness DWI program, page 43.)

The board heard a final warning from outgoing board chairman Joe Lee on the DWI issue that the public "wrongly has an image that we don't care, thus implying that we, ourselves, invited punitive action" and that "restaurants are failing over this issue."

Michael Grisanti, chairman of the NRA's alcohol awareness task force, emphasized the importance of recognizing Candy Lightner's MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) group as the most successful grass-roots organization anywhere. He pledged the NRA's "concern and help in her campaign against drunken driving."

Jim Peterson, political-education committee chairman, asserted that the NRA is greatly improving its communications with Congress. He cited as a prime example that nine Congressmen "visited our NRA Show and five came to our committee meeting." In addition, Sen. Charles Percy (R-Ill.) put in a surprise appearance at the NRA's annual Hennessy military food-service awards luncheon.

Larry Hilaire, Portland, Ore., restaurateur, received a standing ovation for his 50 years of service to the NRA, on a motion by Patrick O'Malley.

After a brisk discussion, the board tabled "for consideration by the convention committee" a motion to again meet at the totally remodeled Palmer House here next May. A number of board members expressed extreme happiness with the Palmer House's facilities, but board member Richard Marriott pointed out that "there are other great hotels in Chicago prepared to do a spectacular job for you."

Both the Chicago Marriott and the Hyatt Regency Chicago--sites of previous NRA board meetings--had made full presentations to the committee.

The meeting marked new NRA staff chief Bill Fisher's first board session after a seven-year hiatus. (He was NRA staff chief in the mid-1970's too.)

Robert Neville, who retired recently as NRA staff chief, was reported to be in "greatly improved condition." Although his illness prevented him from attending this board meeting, he is slated to attend the September board meeting.

Named to the NRA executive committee by new president Harris Machus were retiring president Joe Lee, incoming vice president Ted Balestreri and treasurer Jim Hasslocher; Jim Peterson, 1984-85 Government-relations chairman; Mike O'Neal, who will serve a second term as convention chairman; Jim Collins, education and research; John Rian, nominating committee for a second term; John Farquharson, membership; Thad Eure, political action; Walter Conti, investments, Larry Hilaire, again heading the pension committee; Marshall Scott, state communications and political education; Harris Rusitzky, again heading communications; John Cauley, audit, Ken Hill, bylaws; Robert Clift, energy and technical services; David Beck, human resources; Mike Grisanti, alcohol awareness; Robert Wood, food additives, and Mike Hurst, goals and parameters task force.