Food Labeling Lobbying

"Corporate and food-industry lobbyists are stepping up their public-relations push for a controversial bill that would replace state food-safety laws with a federal labeling standard," reports The Hill. More than 140 companies and associations are lobbying for the National Uniformity for Food Act, including Nestle, the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, American Beverage Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Opponents say the Act would gut state-level public health measures; 39 state attorneys general "slammed it as a danger to consumers." One lobbyist from Patton Boggs told reporters, "Opponents have grossly mischaracterized the effects of the bill." A Grocery Manufacturers of America spokesperson said, "States that have science to justify what they are doing have nothing to fear in this legislation." Supporters in the food industry hope "to avoid the cost burden of tailoring marketing and production" to state specifications.