#consumer-transparency

#consumer-transparency

If the sticker reads "Product of the United States" that may not mean exactly what you think it does. That is partially why a bipartisan group of Congressmen led by the Wyoming Republican Harriet Hageman and the California Democrat Ro Khanna reintroduced the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act on October 24, which would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef products. The bill would also raise fines for those that falsely label their beef as made in the USA, including multinational packers.

And if you don't get hit with higher prices, you might still wind up paying more due to shrinkflation, a tactic where companies quietly reduce the weight of a product, but not the price. The changes might be difficult for shoppers to detect, because this year's variety packs contain the same number of candy bars as they did in 2024. Both U.S.-based companies said their products may change due to changing customer preferences. Neither provided specific examples.