National Consumers League seeks more accurate wine labeling laws

Consumer rights group urges Congress for more accurate wine packaging

-- Packaging Digest, 7/1/2009 12:10:00 PM

The National Consumers League (NCL) has asked Members of Congress to support reform of U.S. wine labeling laws to better protect consumers' right to truth in labeling. U.S. law allows some domestic winemakers to use the place names of 16 internationally recognized regions on wines that are not produced in those areas, which ends up misleading consumers.

"These labeling problems mean both that wines can be sold abroad with labels that falsely suggest that they are from well known and highly-regarded winemaking regions in the U.S., and that American consumers may be victims of deceptive wine labeling," said NCL executive director Sally Greenberg.

The U.S. is poised to become the largest wine-consuming country in the world over the next few years, yet U.S. wine labeling laws are behind the times. Whether the grapes are grown in Napa Valley, Walla Walla, or Champagne, France, consumers have a right to accurate information about where the wine they are purchasing actually comes from.

But as NCL points out in its letter, the current state of U.S. labeling laws means U.S. winemaking regions have had to pursue state legislative fixes to correct a growing problem. Recently, Oregon and Washington states have both passed legislation to protect the names of wines produced in those states.

NCL has asked Members of Congress to join their colleagues who are calling on the U.S. Treasury Department to, "support reform of a broken system for protecting geographic identity and provide consumers with the accurate information they deserve." Reforms include making U.S. wine labeling laws more consistent with U.S. trademarks and phasing out labels that improperly use the names of other wine producing regions like Champagne.

Source: National Consumers League

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Featured Company

SATO

SATO is a pioneer and leading global provider of integrated Automatic Identification and Data Collection solutions that leverage barcode and RFID technologies. SATO manufactures innovative, reliable auto-identification systems and offers complete... more
Bosch Packaging Technology

Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. is one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging machinery. Our diverse portfolio of packaging machines, including the well known Doboy brand, includes robotic automation with pick & place robots (delta robots)... more
A-B-C Packaging Machine Corporation

For over 69 years, A-B-C has led the industry with innovative case erectors, packers, sealers, palletizers, depalletizers and more-- built to save money and reduce labor on the packaging line. Today, our work continues as we develop machines to... more
Adept Technology

Adept Technology is a global, leading provider of intelligent robotics systems that enable customers to achieve precision, speed, quality and productivity in their assembly, handling, packaging, testing and other automated processes. Adept's... more
VISION RESEARCH

Vision Research designs and manufactures high-speed digital imaging systems used in applications including defense, automotive, engineering, science, medical research, industrial manufacturing and packaging, sports and entertainment, and digital... more
Shibuya Hoppman Corporation

Shibuya Hoppmann, a leading systems integrator, effectively responds to your needs using our innovative approaches towards technology, quality, reliability, experience and customer service. We want to be your preferred packaging machinery... more
Plastic Ingenuity

Plastic Ingenuity provides custom solutions for your unique thermoformed packaging needs for the food, retail, cell phone, medical, cosmetic, and other industries. Offering a wide variety of materials, including bio materials such as PLA, PSM, and... more
Wayne Automation Corporation

Through innovation and experience, Wayne Automation has developed a comprehensive line of packaging equipment built for reliability and long system life. Our product line includes: Case Erectors, Sealers, Partition Inserters, Tray Formers... more
Glue Dots International

Founded in 1995, Glue Dots International revolutionized the adhesives industry with pressure sensitive Glue Dots Brand Adhesive Products. Located in New Berlin, Wisconsin, Glue Dots holds several patents and continues to develop new, efficient... more
Diagraph, An ITW Company

Diagraph offers world-class marking, inkjet coding, and labeling systems for your RFID and product identification needs. Our product line includes a diverse line of industrial ink jet solutions including: small character continuous ink jet coding... more
Cognex Corporation

Cognex Corporation is the world's leading provider of vision systems, vision software, vision sensors, industrial ID readers and surface inspection systems used in manufacturing automation. Cognex helps companies improve product quality, eliminate... more
ID Technology

ID Technology (IDT), a division of Pro Mach, is a manufacturer and integrator of labeling, coding, and marking systems and solutions. With 17 regional facilities, IDT provides responsive service and support to fit our customers individual needs... more
Advanced Poly-Packaging, Inc.

that are fast, simple and money-saving! High quality poly bags, tabletop & production baggers and conveyors, scales and parts counters. Mail order, many foods, medical/pharmaceutical and more... more