Overview
Title
To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that required country-of-origin labeling for any agricultural product packaged in a can shall be on the front label or top of such can, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 914 is a plan to make sure labels on canned fruits and vegetables clearly show where the food comes from, either on the front or the top of the can, so it's super easy for people to see where their food is from.
Summary AI
H. R. 914 proposes changes to the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that the country-of-origin labeling for any agricultural product packaged in a can be displayed on the front label or top of the can. This bill, introduced by Mr. Harder and Mr. Van Orden, aims to make it easier for consumers to see where these products come from. If passed, this requirement would apply to agricultural products imported 18 months after the bill becomes law. The bill emphasizes increasing consumer awareness about the origins of agricultural products.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act" or the "American CANS Act," aims to amend the Tariff Act of 1930. It focuses specifically on country-of-origin labeling for agricultural products packaged in cans. The bill mandates that such labels must be displayed prominently on the front label or the top of the can. This labeling requirement would apply to all relevant products imported into the United States 18 months after the legislation is enacted.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise from this bill that could affect its implementation and efficacy:
Operational Costs: The bill could increase operational expenses for producers and importers who need to adjust their packaging processes to meet the new labeling requirements. Although this may lead to better consumer transparency, it is also a potential financial burden for those in the supply chain.
Enforcement Mechanisms: There is a lack of specificity regarding how the labeling rules will be enforced and what penalties might be in place for non-compliance. This absence of detail could undermine the effectiveness of the legislation.
Implementation Delay: With an 18-month delay before the requirements take effect, the potential benefits of improved consumer transparency may not be immediately realized.
Cross-Referencing Required: The bill references agricultural products as defined in another law, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, requiring stakeholders to conduct additional research to understand fully which products are affected. This could lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
Lack of Beneficiary Clarity: It's unclear which organizations or individuals might specifically benefit from these changes, except for the general public potentially gaining greater transparency.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this bill intends to enhance transparency for consumers purchasing canned agricultural products by making the country of origin of such products immediately visible. This could empower consumers to make informed decisions based on the origin of their purchased goods. Knowing where products originate might appeal particularly to those concerned about supporting domestic agriculture or interested in the sustainability practices of different countries.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Producers and Importers: Those involved in the production and import of canned agricultural products will likely face increased costs associated with changing the labeling process. These costs might be passed on to consumers, affecting product prices.
Consumers: Consumers stand to benefit from clearer labeling, which can guide purchasing decisions in a more informed manner. Enhanced product transparency aligns with growing consumer demand for product source information.
Regulatory Bodies: Agencies responsible for overseeing compliance may face increased operational demands unless more explicit enforcement guidelines are established.
Overall, while the bill is aimed at satisfying consumer demands for greater transparency, its implementation poses challenges that need addressing to ensure that its objectives are fully realized. Stakeholders must balance these amendments against the potential costs and logistical hurdles of compliance and enforcement.
Issues
The amendment could potentially increase operational costs for producers or importers who need to modify packaging or labeling processes to comply with the new labeling requirements. This may also be necessary for consumer transparency. (Section 2)
The text lacks clarity on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance with the new labeling requirements, which could affect the effectiveness of the legislation. (Section 2)
The amendment specifies an 18-month delay in its effective date post-enactment, which could delay the intended impact of improved labeling transparency. (Section 2)
The definition of 'agricultural product' references another act (Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946), requiring readers to cross-reference to fully understand the scope of the products affected. This could cause confusion or misinterpretation. (Section 2)
The text does not specify any particular organization or individual that might benefit from the amendment, although the compliance requirement could result in additional costs for producers or importers. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the act states that this law is officially called the “American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act” or simply the “American CANS Act.”
2. Method of notification of country of origin of an agricultural product packaged in a can Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Tariff Act of 1930 requires that the country of origin for canned agricultural products must be marked on the front label or on the top of the can. This change will apply to items imported 18 months after the law is passed.