Bill makes food labels uniform

WASHINGTON – Hundreds of warnings on food labels could vanish under a measure moving toward approval in the House.

The bill would stop states from adding warnings that are different from federal rules. States currently add hundreds of extra warnings, indicating the presence of arsenic in water, mercury in fish, alcohol in candy, pesticides in vegetables and more.

“This legislation could overturn 200 state laws – laws that the American people rely on every day to ensure the safety of the food they eat,” Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said Thursday during House debate on the bill.

The food industry wants consistent warnings across state lines to reduce the cost of making many different labels. The industry has attracted broad support in the House, where a majority is co-sponsoring the bill.

“Consumers across the country deserve a single set of science-based food warning requirements, not the confusing patchwork that we have today,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.

Lawmakers postponed a vote until next week. The measure is expected to clear the House but stall in the Senate.