Rex S. Heinke

Rex S. Heinke, attorney for Kroger, Safeway and Albertsons, told the Los Angeles Times that the government enforces COOL laws, not consumers. - J.W.

Rex Heinke, attorney for Kroger (parent of Ralphs), Safeway and Albertsons, said the job of enforcing the labeling rule is up to federal regulators, not consumers.

Rex S. Heinke, attorney for Kroger (parent of Ralphs), Safeway and Albertsons, said the job of enforcing the labeling rule is up to federal regulators, not consumers.

"Congress wanted uniform enforcement of these laws nationwide.We don't dispute that if the state government jumps through the right procedural hoops, they can enforce the law too, if the federal government doesn't object," Heinke said.

Rex Heinke, lawyer for the supermarkets, said the ruling undermines the goal of Congress for national uniformity in food labeling laws and enforcement.
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Heinke, the supermarkets' lawyer, said the ruling was at odds with a federal law that was meant to leave enforcement in the hands of government regulators.

"We think Congress intended for the government to decide which (labeling standards) are worth enforcing and to ensure that the enforcement of statutes is uniform throughout the country," Heinke said.