The EU directive of metric-only labels beginning 2010 has raised considerable debate here. It seems to have created an assumption the US would HAVE to go to metric-only labeling in the US as separate labels for export would be "unaffordable."

While I would prefer to see the US go metric, I don't think that claim holds water and would like to start some debate about it. However, in addition to debate, I think we need some data about label requirements between countries right now. I have limited data, but I believe unique labels are the norm.

Canada, the US, and Mexico are big trading partners, but I can't see much commonality in food labeling requirements, unless the package is big enough to allow a tri-lingual label. Lets look at requirements -- all for prepackaged food, not produce or random weight packages.

US
*Net contents MUST be dual labeled, USC and SI units(either may be first. "Usually" USC is first, but exceptions are appearing.
*English language. Additional languages may be permitted, but the fact is that I never see any on food (very common on electronics, etc). I have no food in my house that also has French or Spanish label and nutritional info, nor have I noticed any at the store.
*Nutritional info must be "per serving" with declared serving size in grams and customary units.

Canada
*Must be bilingual, English and French
*Metric contents primary, supplemental Imperial allowed. Oddly, USC is also allowed instead of Imperial IF clearly labeled.
*Nutritional info is "per serving" but must be bilingual

Mexico
*Language must be Spanish. Others allowed if Spanish is at least equal size.
*Contents must be metric on Spanish part of the label, right down to the "decimal comma." No supplemental units on the Spanish label.
*Nutritional info, in Spanish, must be "per 100 g" and "per serving."
(I found requirements for Chile in English; they are similar to Mexican.)

So, as food is typically packaged and sold in the US, it is not salable in Canada and Mexico, and not just because of the USC units contents. The label would have to include complete French and Spanish info, and meet unique Mexican nutritional info format. The fact is that the same size package can be used, but unique labeling is required. We can afford this unique labeling now as we export to both Canada and Mexico now. Why will it be unaffordable in 2010?

In Europe, including the UK, would separate labels different from the US label be required to meet CURRENT requirements? I'm hoping some of you can fill in gaps in my knowledge.
*Would supplemental USC contents be acceptable in the UK given that you used Imperial? (the main problem would be fluid ounces)
*Will non-English-speaking countries in Europe accept English language labels and nutritional info, or must they be in local language?
*Is (only) "per serving" nutritional info acceptable, or is "per 100 g" info required?
*Has anybody seen food clearly imported from the US in Europe? How is it labeled? (P:ease exclude food packed in European plants by US companies)

I think this story of the US being forced to go along with EU labelling requirements is just a myth. As you pointed out, currently it is necessary for companies to print separate labels for the US, Canada, and Mexico, and there is much more trade between these countries than across the Atlantic. It is also currently necessary to print separate labels for the US and most EU countries (except perhaps Britain) due to language requirements. Of course, it may be possible to print one label that technically satisfies the requirements of multiple countries, but I don't think companies are going to bother doing it, and they haven't as yet.
However, the USMA wants any reason to convince people that we are going to be forced to go metric anyway, because it is their only hope of generating support.