The Grange takes "Misleading labeling and advertising" of food products to the Attorney General

For information contact: Carl Meiss, Public Relations Director Ph: (717)-737-8855 or (800)-552-3865

November 5, 2007

After thanking Department of Agriculture Dennis Wolff for his efforts in convening a Food Labeling Advisory Committee to investigate concerns that have been raised about misleading labels on milk and dairy products, PA State Grange President Betsy Huber has written to Attorney General Tom Corbett

asking his office to investigate misleading labeling and advertising of food products sold in Pennsylvania.

In her letter to the A.G., Huber stated that, "The Grange would like to see this action [requiring companies to discontinue misleading labels] expanded to all food products." She elaborated by saying that, "many products are labeled 'Natural' when there is no standard definition of the term. Meats and poultry are being labeled as 'antibiotic-free' when no product that contains antibiotics is permitted to be marketed."

She added that, "Products are advertised as 'cholesterol-free' when there is no cholesterol in the competing products anyway." She noted that, "This type of labeling and advertising is misleading to the consumer by implying that other brands of the same product are less safe or inferior in some way. It is

potentially harmful to other companies who use truthful labels on their products." Huber specifically says, "If a claim is made on a food label it should be verifiable."

Pres. Huber then went on to say, "Another problem we see is the promotion of products as healthy, some actually featuring a picture of fruit or grain on the packaging, when in fact the amount of fruit or grain contained in the product is very minimal and the first listed ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. With today's concern about obesity, consumers think they are eating healthy snacks when in fact they are loaded with sugar."

She closed her letter by stating, "Grange members are concerned about the current marketing trend to print unverifiable statements and misleading claims on food labels. We urge you to investigate this practice and bring it under control."

President Huber's letter follows in its entirety:

October 31, 2007

The Honorable Thomas W. Corbett Jr.

Attorney General

Strawberry Square

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dear General Corbett:

On behalf of the Pennsylvania State Grange I am writing to request that you investigate misleading labeling and advertising of food products sold in Pennsylvania.

Last week Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff announced that the Department of Agriculture will take steps to require companies to discontinue misleading labels on milk and dairy products in the Commonwealth.

The Grange would like to see this action expanded to all food products. For instance, many products are labeled “Natural” when there is no standard definition of the term. Meats and poultry are being labeled as “antibiotic-free” when no product that contains antibiotics is permitted to be marketed. Products are advertised as “cholesterol-free” when there is no cholesterol in the competing products anyway. This type of labeling and advertising is misleading to the consumer by implying that other brands of the same product are less safe or inferior in some way. It is potentially harmful to other companies who use truthful labels on their products. If a claim is made on a food label it should be verifiable.

Another problem we see is the promotion of products as healthy, some actually featuring a picture of fruit or grain on the packaging, when in fact the amount of fruit or grain contained in the product is very minimal and the first listed ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. With today’s concern about obesity, consumers think they are eating healthy snacks when in fact they are loaded with sugar.

Grange members are concerned about the current marketing trend to print unverifiable statements and misleading claims on food labels. We urge you to investigate this practice and bring it under control. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Betsy E. Huber

President