From Washington with Karina Jones is brought to you by BillionAuto.com one of the nation’s largest automotive websites!
Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills, Field Director for R-CalfUSA and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
And now the NEW VOICE of Farm & Ranch Country, Karina Jones –
Hello, everyone, out there in farm and ranch country.
Today I’m going to be bringing you news out Washington DC regarding the enforcement of the “Made in the USA” label.
“The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against motocross and ATV parts maker Cycra and its officer, Chad James, for falsely claiming that the company’s products were manufactured in the U.S. The FTC’s proposed order would stop Cycra and James from making deceptive claims about products being “Made in USA” and require them to pay a monetary judgment.
According to the FTC’s complaint, Cycra has made claims that its products are made in the U.S. on its website, social media, and product packaging from 2019 until at least May, 2022. The claims included a web banner saying “Proudly designed, developed and manufactured in Lexington, North Carolina,” and product labels featuring the American flag.
In fact, the complaint charges that Cycra regularly imported parts from Asia and Europe for its products, and in two separate instances, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered, in shipments from Taiwan, assembled products that were already labeled or ready to be labeled as being “Made in USA” in shipments from Taiwan.”
The FTC states that they are, “committed to ensuring that “Made in USA” claims are truthful. The FTC’s Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims provides guidance on making non-deceptive “Made in USA” claims. In addition, the FTC’s Made in USA Labeling Rule went into effect on Aug. 13, 2021. Companies that violate the Rule from that date forward may be subject to civil penalties.”
In addition to the motorcross parts, the FTC has had a sharp focus on the clothing and textile industry.
“According to the FTC’s May 2022 complaint, Lions Not Sheep Products, LLC, and its owner Sean Whalen deceptively advertised clothing and accessories as Made in USA. In most cases, the products advertised using these claims consisted of wholly imported shirts and hats with limited finishing work performed in the United States. An administrative order settling the Commission’s complaint barred the company and its owner from advertising and labeling its clothes and accessories as made in the United States when they are not. It also required the defendants to pay money to provide refunds to defrauded consumers.”
“The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers.” While I find this all incredibly justifiable and exactly what the FTC should be doing, I’m left wondering why our food supply isn’t under the same scrutiny? Beef is brought into this country, it’s country of origin label is removed, and a “product of USA” sticker can be slapped right on it. So when will there be justice for the American beef industry and beef consumer?
Tune in next week as I will bring you ag news from our nation’s capital. In the meantime, let’s all pray for the rain that much of the central plains is in desperate need of. May all of our farmers and ranchers stay safe as they do their work this spring to feed the world.
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 4 children near Broken Bow, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Tune in Fridays on The Hot Barn Report, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and highlights industry reforms or listen to Ranch Raised with Karina Jones a slice of daily life on the Jones Ranch.
