USDA Releases Interim Final Rule for Mandatory COOL
Rule will be published in Federal Register on Aug. 1.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 29, 2008
The USDA issued an interim final rule for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling on Monday. According to USDA spokesman Keith Williams the rule will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, Aug. 1. Public comments on the rule will be accepted for 60 days following publication. Comments should be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov.
Country of Origin Labeling was first instituted by the 2002 Farm Bill but Congress delayed implementation of the provision several times. The 2008 Farm Bill added a number of commodities that would fall under the regulations. COOL will go into effect on Sept. 30, 2008.
Mandatory COOL requires retailers to notify their customers of the country of origin of beef (including veal), lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, peanuts, pecans, ginseng, and macadamia nuts.
Food service establishments are specifically exempted as are covered commodities that are ingredients in a processed food item. In addition, the law specifically outlines the criteria a covered commodity must meet to bear a "United States country of origin" designation.
To view the interim final rule on mandatory COOL, click HERE.
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Tagged: farm, usda, farm bill, peanuts
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