Increasing labeling requirements focus of latest ‘Eye on Potatoes’ podcast

The growing number of labeling requirements for food producers is the subject of the latest “Eye on Potatoes” podcast.

Tyson Redpath of Washington, D.C.-based agriculture lobbyist The Russell Group and National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles joined host Laine Nordlund to discuss the topic. Redpath said the growing number of requirements, particularly in the variance between states and cities, not only puts taxing burdens on food producers, but they water down what warning labels are meant to do, which is to inform the consumer.

“We’ve done a real disservice to the American consumer, in particular over the last three or four years, with the surge of labeling requirements and proposed labeling requirements, particularly at the state and even the city levels,” Redpath said. “We have really devalued the meaningfulness of labels. For example, the state of California (through Prop 65) requires warning labels any one of over 900 substances, including things such as aloe vera.”

Members of Congress have moved to address the situation, as the bipartisan Accurate Labels Act was introduced last year by Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) and Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon). The act would amend the outdated Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1967, if passed.

“It really is, in my mind, time to correct some of the labeling malpractices in some of these states and cities,” Redpath said. “Clear, accurate, common sense labeling that we all seek and that consumers are entitled to in this day and age is paramount to what we grow and what we sell.”

Check out the full episode of “Eye on Potatoes” here, or where ever you get your podcasts.