Food Labeling History

Food labeling had gone through several stages of historical development. Labeling regulations started with the regulatory marks which served as the logistical aids to the enforcement of adulteration laws as well as the levying of duties and taxes on bread. The principle problem of misbranding was the misrepresentation of weight. With minor exceptions, most food was produced locally and consumed locally, so that there was no widespread usage of food labels, and hence no need for extensive regulation of such labels (Food Labeling Regulation, 2001).

The industrialization of food production in the 19th century made consumers more reliant on food label which was a key source of information in making purchases. The trademarks had been given a partial

In that period, the rules governing the sale of food items were as complex and specific as a in the present time. The rules prevented fraud by the vendor. Generally, relied on the principle of caveat emptor. There was straight forward mechanism for the selling of the bread. According to Pliny, at every place, a different grades of bread was offered for the sale (Pliny, 1949). The practice was formalized in the Theodosian Code of AD 438 which required bread to be sold publicly on the places rather than secretly by the bread makers. The code mentions coarse bread and fine bread (Pharr,

Unfortunately, for historians, no copies of the document have survived. In 1266, the Assize was codified by the Parliament (Hen, 1762). Thereafter, the Parliament enacted the Statute of the Pillory and Tumbrel in providing punishment for disobedience of the Assize of Bread and Ale. The statute included one of the earliest historically evidenced example of affirmative regulation of food labeling. The Assize mentioned that upon every Measure, Bushel, Weight and also upon every Loaf, the Name of the Owner distinctly written. A later statute required every Baker shall have a Mark of his own for his Bread. The mark became a key regulatory system to assist with enforcement problems. The Assize of Bread of 1266 had set the prices for different grades of bread. Later amendment added to the list of approved grades of bread. Any bread which was not in compliance with the standards was viewed as illegal. As the variety of grades and number of prices increased, the enforcement became more difficult. Parliament responded in 1749 by enacting a statute requiring bakers