When is an answer NOT AN ANSWER????
V_Key,
Thank you for your e-mailed question pertaining the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program. I am responding to your question on behalf of Associate Deputy Administrator William Sessions.
The intent of COOL is to provide consumers with additional information on which to make their purchasing decisions. Retail stores are required to provide accurate origin information for covered commodities. COOL regulations define retailer as any person licensed as a retailer under the Perishable Agricultural Marketing Act (PACA) of 1930 (7 USC 499a(b)). One of the criteria for a PACA license is annual expenditures excessive of $230,000 for fruits and vegetables. Retail establishments that are not PACA licensees are not required to comply with COOL requirements. Markets that "cut and wrap over the counter meat" will be required to provide country of origin information if they are PACA licensed.
The interim final rule (IFR) implemented on September 30, 2008 provides for meat products from animals of multiple origins as the designation encompasses various production steps (born, raised, and slaughtered) covered by the regulation. Country of origin declarations such as "U.S., Canada, and Mexico" may describe the origin from 1) animals born in Country X (in this case Canada or Mexico) and then raised and slaughtered in the United States, or 2) when meat from multiple countries of origin are physically commingled during production or in a service counter display case. In situations where animals were born in Canada and Mexico and then raised and slaughtered in the United States, the correct label would allow for multiple country designations. Only meat products derived from animals that are exclusively born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States or from animals present in the United States prior to July 15, 2008, may be designated as "Product of the U.S." Even though multiple country designations are acceptable on single cut packaged products, you are encouraged to communicate your origin preferences with your retailer.
For additional information on COOL, please visit the website: www.ams.usda.gov/cool. Thank you for your interest in COOL.
Julie Lewis
Marketing Specialist
Country of Origin Labeling
USDA/AMS/LS/SAT
Room 2607-S, Stop 0254
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250-0254
202-205-9356
[email protected].
