Posted on 10/21/2011 10:49:20 AM PDT by jazusamo
Six senators introduced legislation that would make selling fake maple syrup a felony offense that can lead to fines and up to five years in prison.
The Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement (MAPLE) is a response to what chief sponsor Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and others say is the increasing practice of cheating Vermont, upstate New York and other maple syrup regions by selling inferior, fake syrup.
"I have been alarmed by the growing number of individuals and businesses claiming to sell genuine Vermont maple syrup when they are in fact selling an inferior product that is not maple syrup at all," Leahy said Thursday. "This is fraud, plain and simple, and it undermines a key part of Vermont's economy and reputation for quality that has been hard-earned through Vermonters' hard work."
He added that others in the syrup-producing regions of Maine, New York and other states also have been hurt. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) are all cosponsors.
Under current law, fraudulently selling fake maple syrup is a misdemeanor offense.
Under the bill, S. 1742, selling fake maple syrup would be listed as an act of fraud that is seen as a felony offense, along with falsifying bank entries, mortgage transactions, loan applications, citizenship records and dozens of other activities.
"We need to make sure that those who intentionally deceive consumers get a trip to jail, not a slap on the wrist," Leahy said. "Schemers should not easily be able to sully the seal of quality that is associated with genuine Vermont maple syrup."
The bill specifically lists what qualifies as real maple syrup: a liquid food derived from heating tree sap or mixing water and maple sugar. In either case, not less than 66 percent of the weight of the product must be "soluble solids derived solely from the sap of a species of tree in the genus Acer."
This is almost as vital as Congressional inquisitions on baseball.
Imagine. Gosh, it must be tough to be a Senator.
Are you telling me there isn’t any marshmallow in marshmallows??? OMG!!! Where is the law??!!!
lol. More idiocy from the government.
| "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. "Atlas Shrugged," by Ayn Rand |
Someone told Chuck Schumer there would be plenty of free face- time on local NY TV stations for pandering, and he signed up immediately.
I love real maple syrup but it’s around ten dollars for a small a bottle in these parts.
I remember when I Love Lucy got the wrong answers to a Trivia Contest and the question of how often maple syrup is made was replaced with what is the term of a senator. She answered “the Sap runs every four years.”
I have never cared for real maple syrup - I grew up in Southern California so I like that Aunt Jemima, Log Cabin , Mrs Butterworths fake stuff.
The ball and chain on the other hand grew up in New York and will not tolerate my taste in fake syrup. Weird. I can’t help it. I like what I like.
She knows pizza though, I’ll say that. She certainly cured me of that Pizza Hut garbage.
The whole country is falling apart and these jackasses are worried about syrup.
They need to have their pay lowered and their benefits curtailed.
Should this one be filed under “Burgeoning Parallel Federal Penal Code threatens our freedom”
or
“The Feds think they can solve EVERY problem”
Most appropriate! Thanks for posting.
Has Leahy been drinking on the job again? Seriously, have you heard this man talk on the floor of the Senate?
He emabrrasses Vermont like Durbin does the people of Illinois.....
This bill will save or create 1 job in Vermont. Yup a worthwile cause indeed. /s
This should really just be a state bill in those states, not fed issue.
“We need to make sure that those who intentionally deceive consumers get a trip to jail, not a slap on the wrist,” Leahy said.”
Wondering if we can get a Republican sponsored bill to address the Democrats on that one.
For those who support FR, click here to show it!
LOL! Better days. Thanks for that.
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