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State food labeling laws could cost households thousands, industry tells DOJ

The Corn Refiners Association is asking the Department of Justice for more time to estimate the economic costs of state food labeling policies.

President and CEO John Bode tells Brownfield a 30-day public comment period isn’t enough time to fully understand the impact of new food labeling requirements across the supply chain.

“We think that a more thoughtful approach would be good for not only public health, but the economy as well,” he says.

The DOJ in August opened a request for information on state laws having significant effects on interstate commerce.

Bode says laws in Texas and Louisiana are examples.

“The out-of-pocket costs in Louisiana from their bill would be $900 per household a year, and in Texas, it would increase food costs $2,200 a year,” he shares.

He says the impact of a label change flows through the entire supply chain and beyond state borders.

“It affects supply chains, it affects the distribution of foods, and it affects the prices of foods, not just in the state where that legislation was passed, but in all the states,” he says.

New measures in both states mandate companies add warning labels for the use of certain ingredients, like artificial colors, among other actions.