The fish at Whole Foods on P Street NW are identified by their native countries, a store practice instituted before mandatory seafood labeling. (Photo Credit: By Lois Raimondo -- The Washington Post Photo)
Posted on 08/22/2007 7:00:02 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
John Michael of Bethesda stood in the supermarket aisle comparing labels on two cans of mackerel. One said "product of China"; the other, "product of Peru." For Michael, it was a no-brainer. No seafood from China for him, given the recent news of tainted Chinese imports.
He wants to know where his food comes from. "Country-of-origin labeling is important to me for food safety reasons," said the 75-year-old grandfather. "My family's health is top priority."
Eighty-two percent of U.S. shoppers agree with Michael, according to a survey released in March by the consumer advocacy group Food and Water Watch. And a Consumers Union survey in June found even stronger sentiment: 92 percent of respondents said imported-food labels should identify the country of origin.
Though concerns over Chinese imports are paramount right now, the concept extends beyond current controversies, said Urvashi Rangan, a Consumers Union senior scientist and policy analyst. "We see country labeling as basic information, just like the ingredient panel or nutrition label."
U.S. farmers and cattle ranchers, competing against an influx of imports, also like the idea. They are banking on the notion that shoppers will buy U.S. products over imports if they can easily identify them.
Some labels already disclose the information. The Tariff Act of 1930 requires it for many products, including processed foods, toys, vehicle tires and appliances. That's why Michael saw country names on that canned mackerel, and that's why we know when olive oil comes from Italy and ham from Denmark, for example. Also, some suppliers -- notably of fresh fruits -- voluntarily affix country-of-origin stickers, so consumers know that their shelves hold apples from Chile, pears from Argentina and American nectarines......
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The fish at Whole Foods on P Street NW are identified by their native countries, a store practice instituted before mandatory seafood labeling. (Photo Credit: By Lois Raimondo -- The Washington Post Photo)
China food safety ping.
I’m a food label reader. Friends and family used to say I was being silly. They don’t say that anymore!
But I would also like to know where the additives come from - e.g., vitamins added to enrich processed foods. I believe the dog food/cat food was a “product of USA” but the wheat gluten it contained was not.
The problem is that those in the don't agree column are the bought and paid for member of congress on both the democrat and republican side. Once again brought to you by the socialist members of the chamber of commerce.
COO of food should be mandatory. Ingredients as well - list all the abbreviations of the countries that made the ingredients.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Dayton, OH -- March 16, 2007 -- In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, P&G Pet Care has announced a voluntary recall in the United States and Canada on specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch "wet" cat and dog food products manufactured by Menu Foods Inc. Emporia, Kansas plant
The wheat gluten itself was imported from China.
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