DATE: June 6, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7507 SUPPORTING FRONT-OF-PACKAGE FOOD
LABELING
CEQA: Exempt
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
At the regular City Council Meeting on May 2, 2023, the City Council directed staff to prepare a Resolution to support front-of-package food labeling. Resolution No. 7507 expresses the City Council’s support for a front-of-package food labeling system and encourages state and federal leaders to initiate action. It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7507 to support front-of-package food labeling.
BACKGROUND
The desire to inform and protect consumers through the labeling of packaged consumables has been required in the U.S. since 1967. Since then, more federal legislation has been enacted to further inform consumers about the nutritional value of their purchases. However, despite recent efforts to further streamline product labeling, most packaged food items still lack information that would help consumers make healthy and informed choices at-a-glance.
During the regular City Council Meeting on March 21, 2023, Mayor Pro Tem Verlato received support to place the topic of front-of-package food labeling on a future City Council Agenda. This topic was subsequently brought forward for City Council discussion on May 2, 2023. During this meeting, background information was provided on the motivation and merits of front-of-package food labeling, including recent efforts undertaken by the Food and Drug Administration and members of Congress.
In the staff report, the City Council was provided with several options to support front-of- package food labeling. These options included federal and state advocacy through letter
Report, Discussion, and Direction – Front-of-Package Food Labeling June 6, 2023
writing and in-person lobbying; a Resolution of Support; and/or a Local Ordinance to mandate front-of-package food labeling in Arcadia.
Broad regulatory authority and resources are needed to implement a front-of-package food labeling system. Additionally, there are potential costs and legal challenges resulting from the enactment of any local ordinance. Due to these circumstances, the City Council deemed state and federal entities best suited to implement a front-of- package food labeling system. After a careful review of each option and potential alternatives, the City Council chose to pursue a Resolution in support for front-of- package food labeling and advocating for support from state and federal leaders.
DISCUSSION
The City Council regularly uses resolutions to express their position on an initiative or policy item, or to direct administrative action. Passing a Resolution of Support allows the City Council to take a position and express support for front-of-package food labeling, without duplicating any federal efforts that may already be underway.
With this understanding, the proposed Resolution No. 7507 conveys the City’s interest in front-of-packaging food labeling and encourages California and Congressional lawmakers to take further action. Upon adoption, the Resolution of Support will be sent to state and federal lawmakers as well as the Food and Drug Administration for their awareness and advocacy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to the adoption of Resolution No. 7507.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7507 supporting front-of-package food labeling.
Attachment: Resolution No. 7507