FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 19, 2011
CONTACT:
Scott Coriell
Welch calls on nation’s grocers to defend real Vermont maple syrup from lookalikes
BURLINGTON, VT – Rep. Peter Welch is again standing up for the integrity of real Vermont maple syrup and those who produce it. In a letter to seven national supermarket chains, Welch is requesting that real Vermont maple syrup be shelved separately from table syrup masquerading as such.
Welch’s letter takes issue with the placement of a line of Log Cabin table syrup called “All Natural Syrup”. The product is packaged in jugs nearly identical to the ones used by Vermont maple syrup producers and is often placed on the same shelf. Despite the “All Natural” assertion and similar packaging, the product shares little with real Vermont maple syrup.
“Real Vermont maple syrup is a product of hard work, dedicated farmers and centuries of expertise passed down through the generations,” wrote Welch. “To ensure your consumers are aware that Log Cabin’s product is table syrup, not real maple syrup, I ask that you shelve Log Cabin All Natural Syrup apart from real maple syrup in your stores…”
In September, Pinnacle Foods – the maker of Log Cabin syrup products – agreed to remove the ingredient caramel color from its “All Natural Syrup” brand after Welch called into question whether the company was violating FDA guidelines. Welch’s most recent efforts come after repeated calls for Log Cabin to change its packaging, which have thus far been ignored.
Welch’s letter was sent to the following supermarket chains: Wal-Mart Stores, Kroger Co., Costco Wholesale Corp., Safeway, Supervalu, Hannaford and Price Chopper.
Welch’s letter is copied below:
Mike Duke
Chief Executive Officer
Wal-Mart
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas
Dear Mr. Duke,
I ask that you take a stand against consumer deception and misrepresentation of a product attempting to masquerade as real maple syrup.
Last year, Log Cabin Syrup released a line of table syrup called “All Natural Syrup.” Log Cabin has chosen to package its product in brown plastic jugs nearly identical to the jugs used by Vermont maple syrup producers. Despite repeated correspondence between Log Cabin, my office and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Log Cabin has refused to repackage this product.
I worry that consumers in your stores may mistake Log Cabin All Natural Syrup with real maple syrup because of the packaging similarities.
Real Vermont maple syrup is a product of hard work, dedicated farmers and centuries of expertise passed down through the generations.
To ensure your consumers are aware that Log Cabin’s product is table syrup, not real maple syrup, I ask that you shelve Log Cabin All Natural Syrup apart from real maple syrup in your stores and I thank you if you have already taken this step.
Thank you for consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
PETER WELCH
Member of Congress
Permalink |
Welch underestimates the intelligence of the Vermont people. There is no need to meddle and try to tell a company how they should package their product. I support Vermont Maple Producers, my next door neighbor is one. I only use real Maple Syrup (which I purchase from my neighbor), but I am against government officials interfering in this manner.
Permalink |
Ms. Crocker,
Not everyone lives next to a Maple Syrup producer and many Amercians unfortunately wouldn’t know the difference.
Congressman Welch did not ask these stores about “packaging” but rather the “Shelving” of this packages.
“I only use real Maple Syrup (which I purchase from my neighbor), but I am againt government officials interfering in this manner.”
I completely understand being against government interferance, but what would your neighbor say about you filling up at their sugar house with a reused “Log Cabin” container?
You’re correct in that most Vermonters’ are not that dumb but the American consumer is open game for many and that includes the makers of Log Cabin.
Thank you Congressman Welch for protecting the value of a traditionally Vermont procuduct.
Permalink |
Christian,
He did ask Log Cabin tlo “repachage”
“Despite repeated correspondence between Log Cabin, my office and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Log Cabin has refused to repackage this product”
American consumers are not dumb either. They know to look for “made in Vermont”.
My neighbor would not disagree with my opinion. He is just as upset about too much government meddling too. He’s trying to get over all the over-regulation with the new food safety bill, which affects his business.
I think Mr. Welch should tackle the bigger problems like our soaring debt instead of putting up smokescreens with smaller issues that he knows will get emotional responses.