A.8235 (Aubertine)

STAFF CONTACT :

518.465.7511

BILL

A.8235 (Aubertine)

SUBJECT

New York State specific labeling of milk products

DATE

Oppose

The Business Council of New York State, whose membership includes manufacturers of milk protein concentrate, has reviewed the above mentioned legislation and opposes its enactment. This legislation would amend New York's Agricultural and Markets Law by adding a new section requiring products containing milk protein concentrate to be conspicuously labeled with an expiration date. It also requires that the product indicate the country where the product was originally manufactured.

The majority of manufacturers produce and distribute products on a regional, if not global basis. Due to the interstate nature of this process, state-specific labeling laws, such as A.8235, are a significant impediment to interstate and global commerce. In order to comply with this legislation, any manufacturer of milk protein products would be forced to design and implement separate procedures in order to conduct business in New York State.

In general, state-specific labeling laws are of questionable necessity and are an expensive endeavor, with the resulting higher costs generally passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.

For these reasons, The Business Council opposes this legislation and respectfully urges its defeat.