On its way to the Senate, after getting approved by the house, is a bill that would require all states to
have uniform food labeling
laws. In addition to the standard information that is nationally regulated, like calories, fat and trans-fats,
states can currently pass laws to require food produced in their state to have additional information on the packaging.
Uncommon allergens, potentially toxic substances and various food additives are commonly required to be
revealed in this way.
Food producers and grocers support the bill because they would have a standard set of expectations to meet, but
some consumers are unhappy that some information currently on their state's food labels will be removed. Opponents of
the bill say that it will affect as many as 200 state laws across the country. While an amendment has already been
added to keep mercury warnings in place, there are 16 states that have shellfish regulations and Arkansas and Illinois
have egg-safety laws, none of which would still be required. On the surface, it seems to be a certainty that any
regulations stripped from the states will be reinstated at a later time, but going through the federal process is
likely to take longer and face more opposition from large lobbies than with in-state legislation. Some warnings may not
make it back onto labels for a number of years, if ever, even though consumers in some states will find themselves with
new warnings on their packaging.
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