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Food Marketers Spent Nearly $1.1M Lobbying In 1Q

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food Marketing Institute, whose members include Safeway Inc. and Kroger Co., spent nearly $1.1 million in the first quarter to lobby on food safety, retail crime and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

The trade group for food retailers and wholesalers also lobbied on taxes, labor issues, credit card fees and other matters.

Besides Congress, the group lobbied the Federal Reserve in the January-March period, according to the report filed April 20 with the House clerk's office.

John Billings, who used to work for Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and former Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H., was among those lobbying on the Food Marketing Institute's behalf.