Doug Wheeler: One label, one standard

Americans have a right to know what is in the food they buy. They also deserve a system that is clear, consistent and affordable. As the Make America Healthy Again movement continues to drive conversations about food ingredients and transparency, states have increasingly adopted their own labeling and ingredient standards. While well-intentioned, this growing patchwork of state-by-state regulations risks creating confusion for consumers and significant compliance costs for businesses that ultimately show up as higher grocery prices. Affordability remains top of mind for families across the country, and businesses are not eager to raise prices. But complying with a growing number of state-specific labeling requirements is not as simple as changing a few words on a package. Companies must navigate legal reviews, redesign labels, update packaging and manage separate inventories for different markets. Those costs add up quickly. The burden extends beyond large manufacturers. Small business