As consumers in California are demanding that producers and manufacturers provide clarity on their food labels, a recent Consumer Reports poll shows that this trend is prevalent around the country, especially in the case of meat and poultry being raised with antibiotics.
According to the Consumer Reports poll, 86 percent of consumers said that meat raised without antibiotics should be available in their local supermarket. Also, more than 60 percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay at least five cents per pound more for meat raised without antibiotics. Furthermore, 72 percent of respondents were extremely or very concerned about the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed.
“We are asking supermarkets to step up to the challenge and tell their suppliers to procure only meat and poultry that has been raised without antibiotics,” said Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union. “Antibiotics are losing their potency in people, leading to a major national health crisis, and we need to drastically reduce their use in food animals. We are calling on Trader Joe’s to be a leader and make this change now.”
Also, Consumer Reports found more than 20 different food labels that mentioned the use of antibiotics. The group found that consumers can consistently rely on “organic” labels as well as those claim to be antibiotic fee so long as they are “USDA Process Verified.”
While Trader Joe’s may have been pointed out as a leader in consumer demands, these necessities can be advertised by any company. In order to ensure that customers are accurately informed by the labels on meat, poultry and other products, producers and retailers may want to invest in a color label printer that can produce these custom labels.