American Chemistry Council (ACC), a member of the Coalition for Accurate Product Labels, announces its support for the bipartisan Accurate Labels Act (ALA) as introduced by Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR).
“Americans deserve access to accurate information about the products they buy and use,” says ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Jahn. “Unfortunately, an increasing number of states and localities are requiring misleading labels that imply risks where none exist. The ALA will provide consumers with transparent and science-based information about products by requiring states and localities to ‘show their work’ when it comes to the science behind their labeling mandates.”
The ALA would amend the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act to:
- Establish science-based criteria for all additional state labeling requirements. States that meet the criteria can enact their own ingredient listing or labeling programs.
- Allow state-mandated product information to be provided through smartphone-enabled “smart labels” and on websites, where consumers can find up-to-date, relevant ingredients and warnings.
- Clarify that trace amounts of substances do not have to be listed as ingredients since many are the result of packaging, transport or display.
- Ensure consumers continue to benefit from the nutritional and allergy information on packaging today.
ACC says the need for the legislation is clear from the growing number of proposals in cities and states across the country that mandate certain products carry warning labels that are not backed by science and imply risks where none exist. Since 2017, there were 62 proposals in 17 different states that would require warning labels or ingredient listings that go beyond national standards, which may unnecessarily drive up costs for consumers and interfere with interstate commerce.
For more information, visit: www.americanchemistry.com
