Vermont's Senators are introducing legislation making it a felony to label syrup as "Maple Syrup," when it is not genuine maple syrup. The "Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement ("MAPLE") Act, should it pass, will make any resulting violation a trip to federal prison for up to five years. Current law makes selling something that is not maple syrup as maple syrup a misdemeanor punishable up to a year behind bars. Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup, so it is no wonder that its Senators are trying to protect the State's product.
According to Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont's maple syrup is "iconic" because it is "painstakingly produced, and prized across the nation." Senator Leahy also believes that the legislation is necessary to protect Vermont's high quality, natural product. Apparently, Senator Leahy drafted and introduced the legislation after the United States Food and Drug Administration found a Rhode Island man was selling cane sugar based syrup as maple syrup. Undoubtedly, this Rhode Island man must have been depraved when he committed such blasphemy. Unsurprisingly, the Senators from Main and New York join in sponsoring the MAPLE Act. Both of these states also produce maple syrup.
The MAPLE Act is more of a truth in advertising/labeling act more than anything else. While it may seem to be a harsh penalty, it really follows the example of the Lanham Act which makes it a felony to intentionally traffics counterfeit goods bearing the trademark(s) of another with a hefty fine and up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Next time you purchase syrup, check the label. I certainly will.
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