From the GAO Assessment on COOL:
"In terms of a precedent for country-of-origin labeling, the Tariff Act
of 1930, as amended, already requires most imported items to be marked
with their country of origin through to the ultimate
purchaser.[Footnote 7] However, identification of country of origin is
only required by the Tariff Act when imported items are wrapped; such
labeling is not required when imported foods are displayed, loose, in
open grocery bins. In January 2000 we reported that meat packers and
processors do not routinely maintain country-of-origin information, as
required under the Tariff Act, on imported meat after it passes a USDA
safety inspection.[Footnote 8] We also reported that U.S. Customs
Service (now the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection), which
administers tariff requirements, has not been enforcing those
requirements for the meat industry.[
"In terms of a precedent for country-of-origin labeling, the Tariff Act
of 1930, as amended, already requires most imported items to be marked
with their country of origin through to the ultimate
purchaser.[Footnote 7] However, identification of country of origin is
only required by the Tariff Act when imported items are wrapped; such
labeling is not required when imported foods are displayed, loose, in
open grocery bins. In January 2000 we reported that meat packers and
processors do not routinely maintain country-of-origin information, as
required under the Tariff Act, on imported meat after it passes a USDA
safety inspection.[Footnote 8] We also reported that U.S. Customs
Service (now the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection), which
administers tariff requirements, has not been enforcing those
requirements for the meat industry.[