Summary Box: Food Warnings Bill
August 20, 2006
By The Associated Press
FOOD AND DRINK: Laws for labeling food contaminants such as lead and acrylamide, which forms when starchy foods are baked or fried, vary from state to state.
PATCHWORK: As many as 200 state food labeling laws are stricter than federal laws.
FEDERAL STANDARDS: The food industry wants Congress to prohibit states from passing tougher laws. In March, they succeeded in the House. The Senate held a hearing on the subject in July.