http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060301...e/food_warnings


Industry Lobbies Congress Over Food Labels


By LIBBY QUAID, AP Food and Farm Writer Tue Feb 28, 7:27 PM ET

WASHINGTON - States require an array of warnings on food labels, a mandate the House is seeking to undo, critics warned Tuesday.


In Alaska, grocery shoppers must be told whether salmon is farm-raised. In Minnesota, candy labels must say whether alcohol is an ingredient. In Michigan, bulk food made with sulfites must carry allergy warnings.

The food industry, which is backing a bill to remove many warnings, says many labels would remain. Critics disagree.

"This bill would eliminate virtually every state and local law that provides greater protection than our federal food laws," Rep. Henry Waxman (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters.

The bill would prohibit states from creating rules that are different from federal requirements. Under the bill, states that want tougher laws could seek an exemption from the
Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers in every state deserve consistent warnings, Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the industry's Food Products Association, said in a letter to lawmakers.

The measure applies to tolerances — allowable levels of color and other food additives — and warning requirements, said Stephanie Childs, spokeswoman for the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

"It does not relate to other state labeling requirements, including Ohio's labeling requirements for honey or Alaska's regulations regarding farm-raised and salmon labeling," Childs said.

Opponents say the bill would indeed go much further. Critics include the National Conference of State Legislatures and the associations of state food and drug officials and state agriculture departments.

California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said the need for uniformity "is a bogus claim" that would nullify tougher consumer, environmental and public health laws.

Meanwhile, the
Congressional Budget Office says it's not clear how far the bill would go. Still, CBO expects about 200 state laws would be affected. The government would spend an estimated $100 million to answer states' requests to set tougher rules, CBO said.

A vote is expected this week in the House, where at least 226 lawmakers from both parties are supporting the bill. Despite the strong support, there is no companion bill in the Senate.