HAMPDEN (NEWS CENTER Maine) – The controversy surrounding the labeling of honey and maple syrup products has forced local producers to take their fight to Washington.
The Food and Drug Administration is currently debating a proposed rule to put “added sugar” labels on the all-natural products in an effort to help consumer cut down on sugar intake.
“It’s just crazy,” Peter Cowan said.
Cowan, a beekeeper from Hampden, said he fears the labeling would be confusing to consumers and dramatically impact whether or not they buy.
"It will adversely affect sales, and it's hard enough to keep beekeeping businesses going,” Cowan said.
Maple syrup producer and state legislator, MaryAnne Kinney, went to Washington D.C. this week to advocate on behalf of her industry.
"We're going to be as loud as we can because this is very important to us,” she told NEWS CENTER Maine.
NEWS CENTER Maine first spoke to Kinney about the issue in May at her family's sugar house in Knox.
Kinney met with all four members of Maine’s congressional delegation to make sure they were on board.
"All four of them are just completely against this,” she said. “They're willing to work with those of us that are producers of honey and maple syrup."
Senator Angus King visited Cowan and Kinney’s operations last week before testifying before Congress this week. He said he is prepared to do whatever it takes to make it right.
"It was a well-meaning rule. I just think it went off the rails in this particular case,” Sen. King said. "I told my people here that I'm ready to go to war on this particular issue."
King said the industries are crucial to Maine’s economy. According to the USDA, honey production brought in at least $2.2 million in 2017. A longer season for sugar houses this year, has made Maine the third-largest maple syrup producer in the country.
"There's a lot of concern and I think,” Cowan said. “Hopefully, common sense will prevail."
Kinney said she plans to get the state legislature to file a joint resolution to the FDA to ensure this regulation is reconsidered.
"We're not adding sugar to our product. Never have, never will,” Kinney said.