USDA Country of Origin Labeling Requirements 'Operationally Impractical,' Says NFPA
27 October 2003 - 10:50PM
PR Newswire (US)
USDA Country of Origin Labeling Requirements 'Operationally
Impractical,' Says NFPA WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The
mandatory country of origin labeling proposed rule issued today by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while an improvement over the
previous version, will still be operationally impractical for both
food processors and retailers," said the National Food Processors
Association (NFPA). "These labeling requirements mandate country of
origin labeling for food products that are already required to
display such labeling under a comprehensive set of regulations
administered by the US Customs Bureau," said Dr. Alan Matthys, Vice
President Federal and State Affairs for NFPA. "Food processors and
retailers could be faced with the prospect of trying to meet
labeling requirements that are duplicative, confusing and in some
cases even contradictory." "From a technical standpoint, the
labeling requirements will be extremely difficult to achieve and
will require a huge investment by the food industry," Dr. Matthys
noted. "In the first year alone, USDA estimates that compliance
with the requirements will cost the industry several billion
dollars and roughly half a billion dollars annually thereafter.
These are extraordinary costs that ultimately provide minimal
benefit to consumers." "We are pleased, however, that the proposed
rule does make some accommodations for a number of food products,"
Dr. Matthys added. "Although fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
are covered by the labeling requirements, commingled products are
exempt (e.g., fruit cup with 2 or more fruits). Making the country
of origin labeling alphabetical instead of in order of predominance
is a logical and practical adjustment as well." "These improvements
aside, there are clearly a number of issues we believe the USDA
should reexamine before issuing its final rule," said Dr. Matthys.
"For example, the rule does not address the problem of products
in-trade labeled prior to the effective date of the regulation or
that fish or shellfish that has been combined with other
ingredients such as seasonings, preservatives or breading would be
considered a covered commodity. We will be presenting our concerns
about these issues and other elements of the proposed rule to
USDA." NFPA is the voice of the $500 billion food processing
industry on scientific and public policy issues involving food
safety, food security, nutrition, technical and regulatory matters
and consumer affairs. DATASOURCE: National Food Processors
Association CONTACT: Timothy Willard of the National Food
Processors Association, +1-202-637-8060 Web site:
http://www.nfpa-food.org/
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