HR 116 (LSB 6251YH (5) 89)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 116

BY  JONES, MOORE, WESTRICH, STONE, BERGAN, INGELS, WHEELER, KAUFMANN, BRINK, KLEIN, PAUSTIAN, LUNDGREN, LOHSE, WORTHAN, KERR, BLOOMINGDALE, ANDREWS, FISHER, WILLS, GRASSLEY, SORENSEN, JACOBSEN, BACON, THORUP, BODEN, NORDMAN, BUSH, and LATHAM

A Resolution urging the United States Food and Drug Administration to take action necessary to improve labeling of imitation eggs and egg products.

   WHEREAS, Iowa leads the nation in egg production, accounting for 17 percent of table egg production and one in six eggs consumed in the United States each year; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa egg industry contributes $2.62 billion in total industrial output, 7,400 jobs, and more than $502 million in personal wages; and
   WHEREAS, eggs produced and marketed in Iowa have a value of over $1.30 billion, including hatchery eggs for export, eggs for the shell market, and liquid eggs; and
   WHEREAS, egg products are shipped across the country and around the world for use in food service menus and as ingredients in countless other packaged foods; and
   WHEREAS, eggs are one of the most economical foods available to consumers, having a perfect balance of diversity and nutrients; being naturally low in fat; containing the highest biological value for protein; a good or excellent source of eight essential vitamins and nutrients; containing almost every mineral required by the human body including calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, and manganese; and having only 72 calories per large egg; and
   WHEREAS, the high-quality protein in eggs supports healthy muscles, the choline in eggs supports lifelong brain health and the carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin in eggs support eye health and cognitive function; and
   WHEREAS, eggs are economical and consistently recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture as the lowest cost per serving of high-quality protein costing approximately 16 cents per serving and providing 40 grams of protein per dollar spent; and
   WHEREAS, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, eggs are an important part of a healthy diet for both children and adults; and
   WHEREAS, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eggs as an important first food for infants and toddlers, as well as for pregnant women and lactating mothers; and
   WHEREAS, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most Americans are not meeting recommended intake for vitamin D and choline; and
   WHEREAS, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans affirm that eggs, as a nutrient-dense food, can contribute to the health and well-being of Americans of all ages in several ways; and
   WHEREAS, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage the consumption of eggs by preteens and adolescents, especially girls, including by providing sources of protein and choline; and
   WHEREAS, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that eggs are a rich source of critical nutrients for human health, including the health of older adults who are at nutritional risk due to not consuming enough protein and vitamin B12; and
   WHEREAS, imitation egg products, such as plant-based products derived from beans, and other foods that imitate eggs and egg products, often do not provide the same nutritional content as genuine eggs and egg products derived from layer hens; and
   WHEREAS, plant-based products labeled as eggs and egg products are misleading to consumers regarding their nutritional profile; and
   WHEREAS, in recent years, a proliferation of imitation egg products have entered into the marketplace which are misleading to consumers regarding their nutritional profile; and
   WHEREAS, recent survey data indicates that many consumers believe that imitation egg products have as much or more nutritional value than genuine egg products, when they actually have less; and
   WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration regulates genuine eggs and egg products, including under 21 C.F.R. pt. 160; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the Iowa House of Representatives urges the United States Food and Drug Administration to take action necessary to enforce its regulations and better inform consumers regarding the proliferation of imitation eggs and egg products currently mislabeled as eggs or egg products; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the United States Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation.