[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FRONT PANEL LABELING LEGISLATION

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation on 
behalf of myself and 34 bipartisan cosponsors, to amend the Tariff Act 
of 1930 which requires that imported commercial products--including 
frozen produce packages--be labeled with country-of-origin information.
  The U.S. Customs Service has proposed to amend current regulations to 
ensure a uniform labeling standard by requiring a country-of-origin 
label to be marked on the front panel of frozen produce packages. 
However, Customs has failed to implement the regulation.
  My legislation merely codifies Customs' proposal and clarifies the 
term ``conspicuous'' by requiring the label be moved to the front 
panel. This way, consumers have the necessary information they need to 
make informed purchasing decisions.
  Furthermore, this bill provides an 18-month grace period to provide 
frozen food packagers with ample time to move the required information 
to the front of their packages without incurring significant costs.
  This legislation is consistent with current law and NAFTA. 
Remarkably, the Canadian and Mexican Governments require strict 
labeling requirements to ensure their consumers have the appropriate 
information about the food they purchase. Surely American consumers 
deserve the same.

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