Following Push from King, FDA Announces "Revised Approach" to Sugar Labels for Pure Maple, Honey Products

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Angus King hailed a decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to "formulate a revised approach" with regard to a regulation that would have required honey and maple products to include an "added sugar" label, despite being pure, single ingredient foods. The FDA had stated the change was meant to help consumers be aware of the amount of sugar they are consuming, but maple and honey producers expressed concerns that the new labels could mislead consumers into believing that sugar was added after harvesting. The FDA's full notice to constituents can be read HERE.

"This is simply common sense -- if sugar is not added to the product, it should not need a label for "added sugar,'" said Senator King. "I am glad that the FDA has recognized the difference between the policy's original intent and the possible impact on honey and maple producers. These are multi-million dollar industries for Maine, and I hope to work with the FDA as they craft a new policy that gives consumers the facts they need without harming our pure products."

Senator King has strongly opposed this proposed regulation, and last week spoke on the Senate floor to urge the FDA to reconsider its approach. Earlier this month Senator King discussed this issue at the farm of Peter Cowin, also known as the Bee Whisperer. While at Cowin's farm in Hampden, Senator King received a demonstration of the honey-making process, from honeycomb to bottle, with no sugar added. He also met with MaryAnne Kinney, a state legislator from Knox who also owns Kinney's Sugarhouse, in Washington to discuss the impact this proposal would have on maple producers, and cosigned a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the FDA, urging the agency to exempt honey and maple products from the regulation.

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