New “Country-of-Origin” Labels or “COOL” Things for Meat
New “Country-of-Origin” Labels or “COOL” Things for Meat
New regulations come into effect this Saturday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding labeling meat. Specifically, the new federal labeling rules require meat processors to list the details of where livestock was born, raised and slaughtered. The new regulations update a certain law known as the “country-of-origin” labeling or also known as “COOL.” To review the new federal COOL rules and USDA’s fact sheet, go to: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/COOL and to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/country-of-origin-labeling-for-meat-and-chicken/country-of-origin-labeling-for-meat-and-chicken Food products contained in the law include muscle cut and ground meats: beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng. The law was enacted by Congress in 2002. Much of its political support drew from concerns over the safety of imported meats and in particular, mad-cow disease. Many consumer advocacy groups that support transparency in labeling praise the new law as an important step in allowing consumers to make informed choices. 
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