NEW: Maple Syrup Counterfeiter Nabbed By Feds
Friday, October 21, 2011
Vermont U.S. Attorney Tris Coffin sought an indictment against a Rhode Island man after a US FDA investigation revealed he was marketing cane sugar-based syrup as “maple” syrup – a misdemeanor that currently carries a maximum one-year prison sentence. Legislation introduced Thursday by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), however, would make the fraudulent sale of maple syrup a felony offense and increase the maximum prison sentence to five years.
“[It] is fraud, plain and simple, and it undermines a key part of Vermont’s economy and reputation for quality that has been hard-earned through Vermonters’ hard work,” Leahy said. “Vermonters – and consumers across the country – should be confident that when they buy food, they know exactly what they are getting.”
“Too often, those who are willing to endanger our livelihoods in pursuit of their profits see fines as just a cost of doing business,” he continued. “We need to make sure that those who intentionally deceive consumers get a trip to jail, not a slap on the wrist.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement (MAPLE) Act is co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) SBernie Sanders (I-VT).
