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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 18, 2013 03:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Timothy J. Solobay |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Seafood labeling |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to establish simple labeling requirements for seafood sold in Pennsylvania. Recent studies have shown that mislabeling is a common problem within the seafood industry. Substituting one species for another, or seafood fraud, has been found to occur at levels ranging from 25 to more than 70 percent for commonly swapped fish such as snapper, tuna and cod. Mislabeling can also occur when the details of how and where the fish was raised or caught are misrepresented. In a nationwide study across 21 states – including Pennsylvania – conducted between 2010 and 2012, the conservation group Oceana found that 33% of fish were mislabeled in a sampling of over 1,200 tested. The mislabeling of fish has economic, environmental and health implications. Consumers may pay for expensive seafood that is swapped for something cheaper or less desirable. Of more concern is that it compromises their ability to make healthy and conservation-friendly choices. The health benefits of eating seafood can vary greatly depending on the species of fish, whether it was farm-raised or caught wild, and its country of origin. My legislation would require retail food facilities to provide three details to consumers: the scientific common name of the fish offered for sale, whether it was caught wild or farm raised, and the country in which it was caught or raised. The Department of Agriculture and local municipal health departments that have elected to administer food safety inspections would be responsible for enforcement, including penalties for violations. Food facilities that were provided inaccurate information by the entity that provided them the seafood would be given exception and not be held responsible for mislabeling. This bill is a common sense, consumer protection measure that will ensure consumers know more about the seafood they are purchasing. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as SB1163