Jun 23, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC — June 23, 2005 — Food retailers and wholesalers across the U.S. applaud Sen. Rick Santorum for introducing legislation today to replace the costly and unworkable mandatory country of origin labeling law with a voluntary program for labeling produce, meat, seafood and peanuts.
     

“This legislation will give U.S. consumers and producers a country of origin labeling program that works, is cost-effective and builds on successful programs already in place,” said Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). “It will free us from the bureaucratic nightmare of the mandatory labeling law.”
     

The bill, titled the Food Promotion Act of 2005, directs the U.S. secretary of agriculture to develop voluntary country of origin labeling programs for produce, beef, veal, lamb, pork and fish. Like the mandatory labeling law, the goals are to increase sales of U.S. products and inform consumers where these foods come from.
     

The voluntary law would cut costs by giving the secretary of agriculture the authority to recognize U.S. state, regional and brand labeling programs. In this manner, Hammonds said, the legislation builds on proven programs that succeed because they are voluntary, flexible and clearly benefit consumers, producers and retailers.
     

The record-keeping provisions do not include the extensive third-party audits and other paperwork requirements in the mandatory law. These measures are redundant and unneeded, Hammonds said, given the requirements of current laws and enforcement measures under state and federal truth-in-labeling statutes.
     

“This legislation is endorsed by 350 organizations representing every industry segment,” Hammonds said. “The mandatory approach to labeling will only increase costs for consumers and the very producers it is supposed to help. Voluntary country of origin labeling will succeed where the mandatory law cannot.”