QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON GOVERNMENT INSPECTION 17 



What is comprehensive labeling? 



The Department long ago concluded that it would be distinctly bene- 

 ficial and in the interest of honesty and fair dealing for label state- 

 ments to include the following information for consumers, in addition 

 to the brand name and other information required by law : 



(1) A truthful, concise statement of grade — preferably such simple 

 terms as "Grade A," "Grade B," and "Grade C," or the synonymous 

 terms of "Fancy," "Choice or Extra Standard," and "Standard." 



(2) Additional descriptive information that may be appropriate for 

 the product, such as number of pieces in a can of peaches, sieve size 

 of peas, strength of sirup on fruit, number of servings. 



Is such labeling designed to replace brands? 



No. The Department favors the inclusion of the foregoing informa- 

 tion on labels in order to fortify and definitely tie-in factual quality 

 information with brand names. Such pertinent information along 

 with the brand name will do much to build confidence in a brand name 

 and good will for the packer or distributor. 



Who may label in this manner? 



Any one packing or distributing processed fruits and vegetables may 

 so label his products. Quality terms, such as "Grade A," "Grade B," 

 or "Grade C," or "Fancy," "Choice" or "Extra Standard," or "Stand- 

 ard" on a label, mean that the product complies with the requirements 

 of the grade set forth in the United States standards for the product. 

 Only foods packed under continuous inspection, however, may include 

 the letters, "U. S." before any of these grade terms. 



What guarantee is there that Grade A products are Grade A? 



The packer and distributor are both responsible for the accuracy of 

 statements on labels. If the products are not of the grade claimed, the 

 packer and distributor are subject to penalties for misbranding under 

 the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 



Are all processed foods required to be labeled as to quality? 



Except for certain commodities which are required to be labeled 

 "Below Standard in Quality," comprehensive labeling is not compul- 

 sory ; it is permissive. 



Is labeling foods for quality mandatory in other countries? 



Some countries have labeling laws which include quality. In Can- 

 ada quality labeling of canned fruits and vegetables has been compul- 

 sory for almost 25 years. 



Has there been any Federal legislation requiring labeling of foods? 



Some bills have been presented to Congress to make compulsory 

 various types of labeling, but none of them has been enacted except the 

 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act passed in 1938. Under this act, 

 certain regulations provide that when products do not meet stated 

 minimum requirements the applicable product must be labeled "Below 

 Standard in Quality." Such products are of a quality lower than 

 Grade C or Standard. The law does not require labeling for the 

 higher-grade products. 



In 1943, the Office of Price Administration required all canned fruits 

 and vegetables of the 1943 pack to be labeled according to grade. This 

 was intended as a means of enforcing price ceilings so that consumers 



