ECONOMY –TRUTH IN LABELING

Customers rely on the labeling to know what they are purchasing and misleading information on a label to obtain an economic advantage is unhelpful and should be illegal. There was a hamburger advertised as “all the beef is 100% Angus beef”. This did not mean that all of the meat pattie was beef but it did create that impression. While the statement was true the impression conveyed an idea that was a deception. We do want the truth not to be creating a deceptive idea. Economic advantage should not come by deception.

Policy:

• The C4C calls for a clear and self-explanatory labelling system to be applied so that consumers can make informed decisions in accordance with their health and dietary requirements including their religious beliefs. The C4C calls for a clear and self-explanatory labelling system to be applied so that consumers can make informed decisions in accordance with their health and dietary requirements including their religious beliefs.

• Components of ingredients must be listed

• Country of origin of ingredients and processing must be disclosed

• If genetic modification is used it must be declared

• Potential health concerns must be disclosed

• Fat, salt, nut, lactose, gluten and other known possible dietary concerns must be disclosed.

• Certainty of compliance of production of product to labeling must be established

• Penalties will apply for deliberate misinformation on product labels.