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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