MONTPELIER, VT (AP)-- Members of Congress from maple-producing states are joining industry groups in calling on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate and take action against products that claim
to contain maple syrup but don't, according to their ingredient lists.
Thirty-one members of Congress from the Northeast to the upper Midwest signed a letter sent to the FDA commissioner on Thursday.
The congressional delegation in Vermont, the country's largest maple producer, says products that falsely tout maple on their packages seem to intentionally mislead consumers who "get cheap, industrially produced sweeteners and artificial flavors" instead of the pure natural product.
They say that hurts the premium reputation of pure maple syrup and maple producers who lose markets and income.
The FDA says it will review the letter and respond to the petitioner.
