According to the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association, the Truth in Maple Syrup Act is again entering conversations in the state capitol building.
Under this bill by Senator Kelda Roys and Representative Tara Johnson, a public eating place may not serve a food product identified as “maple syrup” unless the product is made entirely of maple syrup, as the term is defined in federal regulations.
“The WMSPA supports the Truth In Maple Syrup Bill reintroduced to legislation,” says Executive Director and producer Theresa Baroun. She and thousands of other maple syrup producers are collecting sap this spring and processing it into real maple syrup.
“There are no additives in real maple syrup. When a consumer goes to a restaurant and sees the words ‘maple syrup’ on the menu, it should be real maple syrup,” she says. “The maple syrup industry works hard to make maple syrup and promote the nutritional value of maple syrup. It isn’t right for a consumer to be getting a substitute when it is called ‘maple syrup.’”
According to the Extension Maple Syrup Program, Wisconsin is currently fourth in the nation in maple syrup production, producing around 300,000 gallons at an annual value of around $9 million.
WMSPA says Roys and Johnson are looking for co-sponsorship of the bill. The association is asking producers to contact their senators and representatives to support the legislation.
“The purpose of the bill is for the consumer, that when a restaurant has maple syrup on a menu it is the real thing,” Baroun says.
