WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, are working together to ensure foods labeled as eggs or egg products are real eggs - not plant-based alternatives.

Many Americans rely on eggs as an affordable, healthy source of protein and nutrients. However, companies that label deceptive imitation products as "eggs" undermine the integrity of real egg farmers, a vast majority of which are in Iowa, the leading egg-production state in the nation.

Ernst's Consistent Egg Labels Act would require the Food and Drug Administration to enforce clear, uniform labeling for eggs derived from poultry to combat misleading marketing for plant-based "egg" substitutes.

"In the age-old debate between the chicken or the egg, one thing is for sure: eggs don't come from plants. While Iowa farmers work hard to put healthy and affordable eggs on our tables, labeling plant-based products as 'eggs' undermines that work," said Senator Ernst. "The integrity of our eggs is no joke, which is why I'm taking a crack at ensuring there's no question between the real deal and imitation!"

"Pennsylvania's egg farmers work hard to provide people with an affordable, easy-to-find, and healthy source of protein," said Senator Fetterman. "Our commonwealth is a leading egg producing state, and they are an important part of both our farms and our economy. TheConsistent Egg Labels Act will help farmers and shoppers by making sure eggs are labeled clearly and fairly in grocery stores."

U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) are leading this effort in the House.

Read the bill here.

Background:

Ernst has long been a champion of Iowa poultry producers. Following the increase in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in both Iowa poultry flocks and dairy herds, she worked to hold federal agencies accountable to providing the public and state agencies with coordinated, up-to-date, and accurate information on the spread of the virus. She provided USDA with a blueprint for developing an effective plan to combat HPAI and protect Iowa poultry farmers, directly raising the need for a vaccination strategy that takes trade into account. Ernst also advocated for critical relief for Iowa turkey farmers impacted by avian metapneumovirus.

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