"all food sold in this country be labeled so as to identify the countries of origin of all its ingredients"

This is a great idea, actually.

If they can say "This product was produced on machines that also processed peanuts," they can also say "This product contains ingredients from China and Mexico."

I think it is a great idea, and I wish that the grocery lobbyists wouldn't have killed it before. I just worry that it will need to be taken to the level of "This product was produced on machines that have also processed ingredients from China." or "This product is certified to have been processed in a facility that uses no Chinese products, ingredients, or machines."

I'm very shaky on this subject, but I think there might be WTO violations by doing that (I'm assuming that China is a member, which it may not be). It may be possible to do it, but it wouldn't be simple.

As the Times article explains, China is indeed a member of WTO.

But it's just a treaty -- that doesn't stop Bush.

8c)

Whoops, next time, I'll read the article you link to before commenting on it.

Or how about a consumer movement -- if it's not labeled, we don't buy it?

What, are you telling me that Nasty Petroleum Based Chemical Waste that we US consumers have paid dearly to make disappear are now coming back to us in cheap shoes and other household products?

Could it be that is why after days of using my fitness equipment my hands reek of industrial chemicals and why the hardwood floor has turned black where the rubber foot pads rest?

Our government does everything possible to protect we consumers, right?

Or how about a consumer movement -- if it's not labeled, we don't buy it?

Or, how about we buy our food locally and give up snacking on food that had to travel thousands of miles?

that'd do away with most of the need for a label telling you what country (!) your food came from, for starters.

I'm still stunned that people will casually buy containers of corn syrup and starch (pop, chips, etc.) that came halfway around the world.

and of course, i've consumed my fair share of pop and Doritos and shirts from Bangladesh over the years...but not anymore.

So... You're switching to shirts from Sri Lanka? Or, Myanmar?

So... You're switching to shirts from Sri Lanka? Or, Myanmar?

more often than not, Goodwill.

where do you buy your shirts from, anonymous one? i'm always looking for alternatives.

Goodwill. I don't have any dealings with Goodwill since it was revealed that it's Portland head made nearly $900,000 a year. How many used shirts must they sell just to pay his salary?

Portland head made nearly $900,000 a year.

Hey, give the boy a break. He probably has to wear a shirt to work.

Actually congress is getting ready to vote on COOL Country of origin Label, write Bloomie or Wu or Hooley, forget Walden

I picked up a package of tomatoes (I think it was that) from TJ's last week. It stated:

"Grown in Mexico, China, or Hawaii depending on season"

How very helpful.....