Legal strategies to address the misrepresentation of Vermont maple syrup.

Notwithstanding the existing array of laws and regulations governing misbranding in the United States, food producers commonly misrepresent the geographic origin and purity and quality of their products. Such misrepresentation has occurred for over a century, yet the government has maintained a reactive stance. As a result, consumer confusion and the dilution of goodwill are widespread. These problems are especially pronounced in the Vermont maple industry. To address and prevent misrepresentation of Vermont maple syrup and throughout the food industry, several legal strategies should be pursued. These include independent litigation and negotiations, as well as regulatory reform, the use of marketing orders, the creation of an appellation of origin system, reformulation of standards of identity, and other labeling requirements.