Senate Panel Approves Uniform Labeling Food Bill

June 30, 2000

The Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday approved legislation designed to establish uniform food safety warning requirements throughout the 50 states. Individual states could not require food safety warnings on labels that would be at odds with federal standards. Food interests supported the legislation.

National Food Processors Association (NFPA) called the bill "consumer-friendly legislation." It is a "significant step forward in eliminating potential food label confusion for consumers," said Brian Folkerts, NFPA's senior vice president of government affairs. "There is no valid reason why standards to ensure food safety and prevent deception should be different for citizens in different states, particularly in view of our highly mobile society. For labels on food products to be meaningful for consumers, they must contain clear and consistent information -- no matter in which state the product is sold."

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced the bill which has 34 co-sponsors. A companion bill in the House now has 115 co-sponsors.

"NFPA has long urged that the regulations governing food safety warning requirements be amended to establish a single standard throughout the United States, overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," Folkerts said. "This would establish one national regulatory system that is fully protective of consumers but which does not place undue burdens on interstate commerce."

"This important legislation will provide uniform standards for food adulteration, misbranding, and warning labels," said C. Manly Molpus, Grocery Manufacturers of America President and CEO. "In today's world of national manufacturing and distribution, it makes no sense to have different labels in different states on the same products, especially if there is no real benefit to consumers."

Molpus added that the Food and Drug Administration has established a tough, comprehensive program of safety standards for foods sold in interstate commerce. "Conflicting state laws that require different information than established by FDA create consumer confusion and could lead to consumers ignoring all warnings. We should have one uniform label for all Americans."