Vilsack calls for stricter food labels (incl. country of origin)

[catgirl]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is throwing out food labeling rules proposed by the Agriculture Department just before George W. Bush left office, saying it wants labels for fresh meat and other foods that would show more clearly where an animal or food came from, according to consumer groups who've been briefed on the issue.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told several consumer groups Tuesday in a conference call that he will ask the meat industry to voluntarily follow stricter guidelines for new package labels designed to specify a food's country of origin, according to three people who were on the call. If the industry does not comply, the administration will write new rules, according to those who spoke with Vilsack.
The labeling requirements, which would apply to fresh meats and some perishable fruits and vegetables, long have been debated in Congress and were enacted as part of a wide-ranging farm bill last year. While the meat industry and retailers responsible for the labels have protested the changes — saying they are burdensome and could lead to higher prices — consumer groups and northern states ranchers who compete with the Canadian beef industry favor them.
All sides worked out a compromise during debate over the farm bill last year, but much of the law was left open to interpretation by the Agriculture Department. Supporters of the law were not happy with the Bush administration's version of the rules, which they said allowed meat companies to be vague about where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/food_labeling

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"The leading opponents of the law have been grocery stores and large meatpacking companies — many of whom mix U.S. and Mexican beef — and other businesses involved in getting products to supermarkets."

No surprise there.

[Thrill]

1. Hold on a second. I was told Vilsack was just a big Agri Business shill

yet everything I've seen him do has been just the opposite

[Captain Hilts]

3. Forcing companies to put "CHINA" on their food HELPs US agribusiness.

In this case, that's certainly okay by me.

[acmavm]

4. Wait. Just be patient.

[DemWynner]

5. He is not a Big Business Shrill

He actually was a pretty good governor. He did stand up for Agribusiness, but Iowa has a lot of Agribusiness and that was one of his major responsibilities. There was a lot of good done for the small farmer as well, a lot of new types of farming and organic farming.

I like this country of origin, my grocery store does it right now for fruit and veggies. I always try to buy fruit and veggies from the US, from my state if at all possible. My grocery store also carries local farmer foods and takes pride in them. I can tell you it tastes better and you feel better that your money is going to your neighbor.

[Captain Hilts]

2. SAFEWAY has removed country of origin off some of its canned vegetable cans. nt

[notesdev]

6. If there is none stated

assume it's from the worst third-world hell hole where they could set up a factory, staffed by slave labor.

It's the safe assumption.

[PylesMalfunction]

7. This is a great move.

The next thing I'd like to see him do is make it a requirement that any food product that contains GMOs has to be clearly labeled as such. I think that's a lot less likely to happen.

[ensho]

8. I agree, good move and the GMO is the one I really want to see happen

it is not fair or legal to not let us know what and where modified foods are

[Wizard777]

9. It should apply to all food products. If any part was made outside the USA.

It should be on the label. Just because the Ice Cream was made in the USA. If the cream is coming from China and has melamine in it. I don't want my notification of that to be kidney stones.

[catgirl]

11. I agree

The origin of every component needs to be identified. Many non-food products state
where the components come from and where it's manufactured. Of course, you have
have to search for the info. Better that if it would be more visible.

[ogneopasno]

10. It's a start, anyway.

[crikkett]

12. I think that GM, cloned and irradiated food should be labeled too. n/t