Provides for addition of phone number of manufacturer or distributor on label of commercial feed

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to labeling of commercial feed

Purpose or general idea of bill

Provides for addition of phone number of manufacturer or distributor on label of commercial feed

Summary of provisions

Amends paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 of section 130 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 816 of the laws of 1974 by requiring the labels of pet food and specialty pet food products to include a telephone number along with the already-required name and mailing address of the product's manufacturer or distributor.

Justification

Ever since the FDA began recalling more than 60 million cat and dog food products on March 17, pet owners have been baffled over what food to safely feed their pets. Weeks after the initial pet food recall, additional products are still being added to the list. Dog and cat owners are more confused than ever. Pet owners are learning that brand name and cost aren't enough to protect their pets from eating food possibly contaminated with toxic industrial chemicals. Products ranging from pricy premium brands to humble store brands, have been recalled. Adding to the widespread consumer confusion is the fact that similar products packaged under the same brand labels are still on the shelves.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it believes thousands of cats and dogs were sickened and an undetermined number killed by pet food made with tainted wheat gluten and rice protein ingredients imported from China. The agency has received more than 15,000 calls from worried pet owners in the past five weeks alone. The pet food recall has demonstrated that consumers currently lack convenient and accurate information about which pet food products are and are not subject to a recall that is still expanding New York State law already requires the name and address of a responsible manufacturer or distributor on every pet food label. This bill would add a telephone contact number so that consumers with future concerns can get accurate and immediate answers to their growing concerns.

Prior legislative history

2008 - S5318 - Referred to Consumer Protection

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.