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VOLUNTARY COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN LABELING BILL MEETS CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY NEEDS


Washington, DC, June 16, 2004 –

The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) today voiced its support for the introduction of legislation to establish voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Minority Member Charles Stenholm (D-Texas) introduced the Food Promotion Act of 2004 yesterday. The bill will amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish standards for the voluntary labeling of produce, meat (including beef, pork, veal, lamb) and seafood with country-of-origin information. The intent of these labels is to inform consumers and to allow them to choose American products at their supermarkets more easily.

"GMA has long supported establishing voluntary country-of-origin labeling standards," said GMA Vice President of Federal Affairs Susan Stout. "Most importantly, this legislation will create workable COOL standards that inform consumers of the choices available to them and that allow producers to label country-of-origin in the most efficient way possible."

In addition to GMA, the Food Promotion Act of 2004 is supported by 324 other groups representing food producers, retailers and manufacturers. To learn more about voluntary COOL, visit: www.countryoforiginlabel.org.

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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe.

Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders.

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