Publications: Food Labeling

 

The Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

Jana Caracciolo, Staff Attorney; National Agricultural Law Center

This factsheet provides background, definitions, and additional resources regarding the bioengineered food disclosure standard. Specifically, it provides an introduction to the issue, identifies which BE foods must be disclosed, and more. Download this factsheet. Posted 1/4/22

 

Issue Brief: The Regulation of Cell-Cultured Meat

Brigit Rollins, Research Fellow; National Agricultural Law Center
Rusty Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney; National Agricultural Law Center

This short informational piece provides essential background, current events, relevant legal issues, and additional resources regarding the regulation and labeling issues surrounding “cell-cultured meat.” Specifically, it looks at the current status of litigation involving labeling as well as the efforts by USDA and FDA to establish regulations to oversee the new products. Download this article. Posted 3/12/19

Plant Based “Milk” Labeling

Cash Barker, Research Fellow; National Agricultural Law Center
Rusty Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney; National Agricultural Law Center

The definition of “milk” may not be as simple as it appears.  With alternatives such as soymilk, almond milk, and hemp milk commanding a larger share of the market, dairy advocates are questioning the use of the word “milk” in their labels.  This article looks at the arguments on both sides concerning both the FDA definition of milk as well as the 1st Amendment discussion regarding the use of specific words.   Download this article. Posted 10/17/18 

Issue Brief: Petition for Policy Change in FSIS’ “Product of U.S.A.” Label

Alexandra Lizano, Research Fellow; National Agricultural Law Center
Elizabeth Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney; National Agricultural Law Center

This short informational piece provides essential background, current events, relevant legal issues, and additional resources regarding a petition that has been filed with the Food Safety Inspection Service asking for changes in policy regarding what meat products can bear the “Product of U.S.A.” label.  Download this article. Posted 8/31/18 

  

Definition of “Beer” in terms of ABV or ABW, by State

Amie Alexander, National Agricultural Law Center
Harrison Pittman, National Agricultural Law Center

The default definition for “beer” under federal law is greater than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). With the recent rise in home and microbrewing, some states have implemented more specific definitions of what may be labeled and sold as “beer.” This chart lays out applicable state law dealing with the definition of beer, whether it is defined as ABV or alcohol by weight (ABW), and any additional distinctions dealing with the definition of beer. Notably, some states have begun to add distinctions between the definitions of low and high alcohol content beers.  Download this article. Posted 2/12/18 


State-Level Catfish Labeling Laws

Elizabeth R. Springsteen Staff Attorney National Agricultural Law Center

Amid concerns over the viability of the domestic catfish industry and increasing importation of Vietnamese products labeled as “catfish,” Congress added language to the 2002 Farm Bill (Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) requiring retail-level country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) for seafood, including catfish.   However, the issue has also been regulated on the state level as well.  Currently, six states- Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Kansas- have labeling requirements for the sale of catfish.  The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the provisions and requirements of the state statutes.     Download this article. Posted: October 1, 2008.