During the first week of April, a California Senate committee will consider a proposal that would require pet food labels to include the product’s country of origin. Often at the forefront of legislation that other states follow, the California Senate Bill 1773 is the first of its kind, according to Marshall Meyers, executive vice president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). “That’s the only one right now,” he said. PIJAC, however, deferred to the Pet Food Institute for further information. The Pet Food Institute was not immediately available for comment. The legislation was introduced in February by Senator Ellen Corbett from the East Bay’s San Leandro, but a hearing date was only set this week. The Committee on Health will hold a hearing on the proposal April 2 at 1:30 p.m. in room 4203 at the State Capitol in Sacramento The bill was also referred to the Senate Judiciary, which Corbett chairs. It has not set a hearing. The proposal also requires manufacturers to post the brand owner’s telephone number on the label. California’s Legislature will reconvene Monday, March 24, after a weeklong spring recess. <HOME>
