Wisconsin Congressional Members Back Labeling Rules For Imitation Maple Flavoring

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to strengthen regulations for foods with imitation maple flavoring.

Maple syrup producers say most maple-flavored products like pancake syrup, oatmeal, or cereal, don’t actually contain any maple syrup. They said that false advertising is hurting business and consumers. Now, 31 members of Congress are calling on the FDA to prevent companies from using the term “maple” to sell these imitation products.

“They’re using our good name of pure maple syrup to help sell their products, and they’re not using our product at all,” said Steven Anderson, director of the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association. “So we want to level the playing field.”

Anderson said pure maple syrup has a lower glycemic index and contains antioxidants, making it a healthier alternative to other sweeteners. But he said that maple syrup producers will never be able to out-sell the cheaper imitators.