US consumers would like more food labels details
USA: A national poll shows strong support among United States consumers for improved food labeling and more frequent inspections of food-processing facilities. According to food safety advocates, Americans want labels that identify use of genetically engineered or cloned ingredients, as well as expanded country-of-origin labeling. Labels are one of the most effective means to inform the public about the health, safety, origins, and environmental impact of a product.
A press release from Washington DC based OMB Watch refers to a public opinion poll, conducted by Consumers Union, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. According to the press release, the poll shows interest in expanding the information available to consumers on food labels.
The survey found that by wide margins, consumers are concerned about issues such as harmful bacteria in food, the safety of imported foods, and meat and dairy produced with synthetic growth hormones or genetic engineering. Approximately 95 percent of poll participants wanted clear labels on food products made from cloned or genetically engineered animals. A large majority also agreed that meat and dairy products from cloned animals should be labeled. Nearly 70 percent of respondents believe that cloning of food animals should be prohibited, and nearly six in ten consumers polled are concerned about meat or milk products from cloned or genetically engineered animals.
Ninety-five percent of those polled agree that processed or packaged foods should be labeled by their country of origin and labels should be available at the point of purchase. Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat, fish, produce, and peanuts was implemented on Sept. 30. Several loopholes in the labeling rules remain, such as for processed and mixed-ingredient foods, and survey respondents agree that these loopholes should be closed.
Two-thirds of survey respondents thought the FDA should inspect food-processing facilities at least once per month. Only two percent said the FDA should inspect facilities every two or more years. The reality is that FDA inspects domestic food production plants every five to ten years, according to Consumers Union and expert testimony before Congress in July. Despite similar demand for regular FDA inspections of foreign food-processing plants, inspections are even less frequent than at domestic facilities.
