Task force explores uniform food aid bag markings
A newly created task force of U.S. government officials and industry associations will explore how to improve packaging, especially markings, for food aid shipments.
The Packaging Task Force was formed in response to concerns raised by the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency.
The North American Millers Association, a member of the task force, has also voiced concern to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International Development about various marking requirements. Some bagged food aid, for example, may be marked 'Gift of the People of the United States of America,' while others may read 'Gift of the American People.'
'Multiple marking requirements decrease the efficiency for producers and effectiveness for recipients,' NAMA said in its weekly newsletter. 'We are pressing the agencies to change bag markings to limit the number of bag types for each product.'