The news concerning the new voluntary country-of-origin labeling bill ["Industry Applauds New Voluntary COOL Bill," SN, June 21, 2004, Page 6] signals a major event for the food industry. In this bill, the House Agriculture Committee leaders introduced a solution to the multibillion-dollar bureaucratic nightmare known as mandatory country-of-origin labeling. The Food Promotion Act of 2004 (H.R. 4576) would replace this mandate with a sensible and cost-effective voluntary labeling law for red meat, produce and seafood. We should thank Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member Charles Stenholm (D-Texas) for leading this bipartisan effort.
vince Congress to pass the voluntary labeling bill before adjourning for the elections. We need to emphasize our support for labeling and the fact we've long been informing consumers where their food comes from for years on hundreds of products -- from Alaskan Red River salmon to Washington apples to Iowa beef.
More than three-quarters of our fruits and vegetables already carry some place to provide this information, such as packaging, PLU stickers and twist-ties, according to the Produce Marketing Association. Producers, packers or shippers can simply add country or other origin information to these places without having to follow mandatory federal rules.
And let's remember this is a marketing program. It's not about food safety. To safeguard our food, we have science-based inspection programs, and animal ID and traceback systems are under development.
All of us in the food industry are in the business of marketing one way or another. If consumers want to know where a product comes from, we tell them. If marketing food by country or state or brand will increase sales, any smart business owner will do it.
If we send this message to Congress, we can move forward with a voluntary program that really works for the consumers we serve.
