MODERN LABELS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND WHY WE NEED THEM
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Transcript of MODERN LABELS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND WHY WE NEED THEM
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MODERN LABELS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY
AND WHY WE NEED THEM
Urvashi Rangan, PhD. Executive Director.Presented by: Charlotte Vallaeys. Senior Policy Analyst.
Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability Center
MASSACHUSETTS DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
APRIL 11, 2014
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LABELS TELL THE STORY BEHIND THE FOOD
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FOOD SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTERSafety and Sustainability are interconnected — cannot be separated from one another
Science-based
Precautionary Principle
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WHY WE NEED GOOD LABELS
Tell the story behind the food: safety, environment, health
Consumers should get what they pay for
Create market demand for sustainable practices - move the bottom up, and move the top up.
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Consumer Reports and Labels: Roles and Goals
Educate consumers
Rate labels
Watchdog standards and lobby for improvements
File complaints with government agencies
Attend hearings on label standards
Introduce and support legislation
Conduct consumer surveys
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LABELS LANDSCAPE
Self-proclaimed labels - unverified
Regulatory guidance
Private label certification programs
Public label certification programs
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THE BAD: USUALLY NO MISTAKE
Maneuvers to undermine truthful and non-deceptive business practices
Tension between special interest and public interest
Consumer surveys show people confused about bad labels
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HOW LITTLE IT CAN TAKE TO BE A LABEL
Natural (FDA, USDA)
Naturally Raised (USDA supply side label)
Humanely Raised (USDA Process Verified)
Free range, cage free and other meat marketing claims (USDA)
Few if any standards. No verification.
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7upHFCS
Hansen sodaHFCS
TropicanaFlavoringpackets
Frito LayGE oils andingredients
Natural
LAWSUITS OVER “NATURAL” LABELING
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WHEN WE DON’T/WON’T/CAN’T DISCLOSE
Genetic engineering (“GMOs”)
different enough to get a patent; not different enough to be required to label accordingly
Consumer surveys: over 90% want GE foods labeled
62 countries require labeling
Mad cow testing
deemed unfair
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WHEN “FREE” ISN’T FREEDOM FROM
Trans-fat free
Formaldehyde-free (non-food)
Fragrance-free (non-food)
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THE GOOD: ADDING VALUE OVER CONVENTIONAL
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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT THE LABEL MEANS
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD LABEL?
Here are five key criteria we use to evaluate label claims and certifying groups:
Meaningful, verifiable standards
Consistency
Transparency
Independence
Public comment
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THE ORGANIC LABEL
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990
Regulations implemented in 2002
National Organic Standards Board advises the USDA
Worth fighting for its integrity
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ORGANIC FRICTION AND SOLUTION POINTS
Antibiotics in organic eggs and first day of life.
Exemptions to standards. Synthetics. Pasture.
Misleading use of organic label. Aquaculture. Personal Care. Dry cleaners.
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THE ORGANIC LABEL: A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES
National Organic Standards Board:
Antibiotics in apple and pear production
“Ancillary substances”
Aquaculture - setting standards for organic fish
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CREATING A BETTER MARKET
Need for government to set minimum requirements for using labels - truthful, transparent and trustworthy
Need to educate consumers about underlying food practices and shift demand toward meaningful labels
Need to police labels in the marketplace
Need to expose loopholes in the regulations that block meaningful labeling
Need to bring the bottom up and make the top taller
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greenerchoices.org
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Thank you!