Arkansas governor signs a 'truth in labeling' bill

LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas' governor has signed a "truth in labeling" bill that aims to protect the state's meat and rice producers.

Manufacturers will soon face fines for labeling food as "cauliflower rice" if it contains no rice. Arkansas is the nation's top rice-producing state. The measure signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson Monday also bans companies from classifying lab-grown meat products or meat substitutes as meat.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the bill stemmed from growing concerns in agricultural communities that Arkansas shoppers are mistaking meat alternatives for real meat.

The measure will take effect 90 days after the 2019 session ends.

Arkansas is the sixth state to pass such legislation, and the only one to include rice. Missouri was the first state to pass legislation regulating meat substitutes.

NW News on 03/21/2019

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