But the Rule proposes other regulations that may have even more sweeping implications. These regulations, should they become law, could affect every American, not just those interested in organic food. In other words it could end all eco-labeling. The Proposed Rule then goes on to give some examples of the kind of labels that would be prohibited under this regulation. These broad, prohibitory regulations, should they become law, would force many U.S. companies and grower associations who currently produce and label eco-products to remove them from the market.
Several examples come to mind.
Coleman's Natural Beef which produces a product without growth hormones or antibiotics. The North American Bison Cooperative that markets a hormone free and irradiation free bison product. Numerous companies and grower associations that are presently marketing products produced with IPM technologies. This means that if the government insists on allowing sewage sludge, irradiation, genetically engineered organisms, piperonyl butoxide and other materials and technologies that the National Organic Standards Board specifically rejected for use in organic production, than no one can certify any product that is free of these practices. Such regulations not only take power and preference away from consumers, and limit the market opportunities of producers, they restrict commercial free speech and leave chemically sensitive and allergic people without any reliable choices in the marketplace that can potentially protect them from harm.