The simple explanation is that American soldiers, exposed to the foreign produce and
foodstuffs in a distant land where many would be returning to farming and agricultural pursuits after their service, would be interested in crops that they have seen and tasted in the mercados (marketplaces), and especially the abundance
of vegetables, herbs, and spices for
sale in the marketplaces
of the cities
of Monterrey and Vera Cruz, and in the cavernous Mercado Tlatelolco in Mexico City.
At that time we used the language in the General Labelling Directive 2000 / 13 / EC on labelling, presentation and advertising
of foodstuffs for
sale to the ultimate consumer Article 2 (1)
of which stated that: «The labelling and methods used must not: (a) be such as could mislead the purchaser to a material degree, particularly: (iii) by suggesting that the
foodstuff possesses special characteristics when in fact all similar
foodstuffs possess such characteristics.»
«Agricultural practices» shall mean all activities conducted by a farmer on a farm to produce agricultural products and which are inherent and necessary to the operation
of a farm including, but not limited to, the collection, transportation, distribution, storage and land application
of animal wastes; storage, transportation and use
of equipment for tillage, planting, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization and pesticide application; storage and use
of legally permitted fertilizers, limes and pesticides all in accordance with local, state and federal law and regulations and in accordance with manufacturers» instructions and warnings; storage, use and application
of animal feed and
foodstuffs; construction and use
of farm structures and facilities for the storage
of animal wastes, farm equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural products and livestock, for the processing
of animal wastes and agricultural products, for the
sale of agricultural products, and for the use
of farm labor, as permitted by local and state building codes and regulations; including construction and maintenance
of fences and lanes; «Agricultural products» shall mean those products as defined in subdivision 2
of section 301
of the agriculture and markets law; «Farm» shall mean the land, buildings and machinery usable in the production, whether for profit or otherwise,
of agricultural products;