{"id":1266,"date":"2024-01-12T15:58:52","modified":"2024-09-02T20:23:56","slug":"fetterman-ernst-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-mislabeling-of-egg-alternatives","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/fetterman-ernst-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-mislabeling-of-egg-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Fetterman, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Mislabeling of Egg Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON, DC \u2013<\/b><\/span> Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced the Consistent Egg Labels Act<\/i> to enforce better market terms for eggs and their alternatives. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would require the FDA to prohibit alternatives from using misleading terms in their branding. Senator Fetterman\u2019s Pennsylvania colleague Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA) is the Democratic lead of the bipartisan House companion legislation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPennsylvania’s egg producers work tirelessly to produce an inexpensive, accessible, and healthy source of protein for consumers,\u201d <\/b><\/span>said Senator Fetterman. \u201cOur commonwealth is the fourth largest egg producing state in the country, making eggs\u00a0a critical part of Pennsylvania\u2019s agricultural and economic strength.\u00a0The Consistent Egg Labels Act<\/i> will protect\u00a0farmers and consumers by prohibiting eggs alternatives from misrepresenting themselves.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cOur egg producers and farmers work hard to put high-quality, nutritious eggs on consumers\u2019 tables. Labeling plant-based products as \u201ceggs\u201d undermines that hard work \u2013 it\u2019s simply un-egg-cceptable,\u201d<\/b><\/span> said Senator Ernst. \u201cI\u2019m committed to maintaining the integrity of real eggs in our grocery stores on behalf of both consumers and farmers.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to join Senators Fetterman and Ernst to introduce this bill, the Consistent Egg Labels Act of 2024, which will help poultry farmers right here in our community,\u201d <\/b><\/span>said Congresswoman Susan Wild. \u201cNot only will this bill help protect one of the most important industries in Pennsylvania, but it will also provide consumers with clearer information about the food they purchase for their families.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Many Americans rely on eggs and egg products as an affordable, healthy source of protein. Nutritional research from the Department of Agriculture finds that eggs are the lowest cost source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, and riboflavin. Plant-sourced protein found in egg product alternatives does not contain essential amino acids in levels as concentrated as in eggs. Egg product alternatives are relatively new on the market and have potential to mislead consumers if such products are not properly labeled. Consumers who need to purchase alternatives should be assured of labeling that is truthful and not misleading.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, there are no requirements for egg alternatives to be clearly distinguished from eggs and egg products, despite not having the nutritional value of eggs. This bill\u00a0would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled egg alternatives within 180 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment on actions taken with respect to food that is misbranded. The legislation would also nullify any guidance with respect to eggs or egg products that is not consistent with its standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Consistent Egg Labels Act<\/i> is cosponsored by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and endorsed by United Egg Producers and PA Farm Bureau.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEgg substitutes aren\u2019t all they\u2019re cracked up to be. And with the proliferation of egg alternatives, it is imperative we protect our New York egg producers who work hard to ensure their products meet current FDA standards,\u201d <\/b><\/span>said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cI am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation that protects the standard of identity for our poultry products and ensures clarity for consumers on the nutritional benefits of their products.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) is excited to see the Consistent Egg Labeling Act introduced. The Commonwealth ranks fourth in the nation for egg, so it is crucial we protect the products’ identity and nutritional value,\u201d <\/b><\/span>said Chris Hoffman, <\/span>PA Farm Bureau President. \u201cThis bill is not about attacking another product, rather PFB supports it for consumer transparency reasons. It is false advertising for a product to be labeled as “eggs” when it was not derived from poultry. For these reasons, our members are looking forward to Congress taking up this legislation and assuring consumers are accurately informed of the incredible nutritional makeup of real eggs.\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The Consistent Egg Labels Act <\/i>would:<\/span><\/p>\n