Central Missouri News

Washington, DC – Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) has taken the lead in introducing the Fair Labels Act of 2024, a bipartisan and bicameral bill aimed at promoting transparency in food labeling. The legislation seeks to ensure that consumers have accurate information about plant-based and cell-cultured protein products when making purchasing decisions.

The Fair Labels Act includes several key provisions to enhance clarity and oversight in food labeling. It defines terms such as "Imitation Meat" and "Imitation Poultry" to help consumers easily identify plant-based protein products that visually resemble or are represented as meat or poultry but are derived from plant sources.

Under the Act, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will oversee the labeling of these products, working alongside the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to maintain product inspection standards. Product labels will be required to use terms like "imitation" or similar descriptors, along with a clear disclaimer if the product does not contain meat or poultry. The legislation also provides a clear definition of cell-cultured meat and poultry products, ensuring that labels accurately reflect lab-grown food sources.

The Fair Labels Act confirms the shared jurisdiction of the FDA and USDA in overseeing lab-grown meat and poultry, solidifying the cooperative agreement for labeling. This legislation aims to create a level playing field and support the free market in the agriculture industry.

Congressman Alford emphasized the importance of transparent and appropriate labeling laws, stating, "The American consumer deserves to know what they are eating and feeding their families. Whether they choose protein substitutes like plant-based or lab-grown protein or traditionally raised meat, the product should be labeled clearly."

The bill has received support from various stakeholders, including Senator Roger Marshall (KS), who highlighted the need for transparency in labeling imitation meats versus real farm-raised meats. He stated, "Distinguishing between a 'black bean burger' and an actual beef burger shouldn't be hard."

Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of consistency in packaging for meat products. He stated, "It is important we continue to have that consistency in packaging for meat products. The bipartisan Fair Labels Act ensures Americans have choices at the grocery store while promoting consumer education on the products they consume."

The legislation has also garnered support from industry organizations. The Missouri Cattlemen's Association commended Congressman Alford for taking ownership of the issue and ensuring that alternative protein products are held to rigorous standards. The Missouri Farm Bureau applauded the efforts to crack down on deceptive marketing tactics and mislabeling of meat products, stating that consumers deserve to know what they are getting when they walk down the grocery store aisle.

The Fair Labels Act has also received support from national organizations such as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council, the American Sheep Industry, and the National Association of the State Departments of Agriculture. These organizations believe that accurate labeling of meat products is essential for consumer transparency and maintaining the integrity of agricultural products in the marketplace.

With the introduction of the Fair Labels Act, Congressman Alford and his colleagues aim to ensure that consumers have access to accurate information about the products they purchase. The legislation seeks to create a fair and transparent labeling system, promoting consumer choice and education in the food industry.