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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] Long-sought food labeling law takes effect today
  • Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:46 -0700


Long-sought food labeling law takes effect today
Consumers will now know more about where meat, produce came from
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29724685/
updated 1 hour, 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Shoppers will have more information about where their food
comes from under a new policy starting today.

Labels on most fresh meats, along with some fruits, vegetables and other
foods, will now list where the food originated. In the case of meats, some
labels will list where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered.

Food safety groups have long lobbied for the policy, which was enacted by
Congress as part of a wide-ranging farm bill last year. It's also popular
with ranchers in the northern part of the United States who compete with
Canadian cattle producers.
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The new rules aim to make it easier for regular consumers to know whether
their food was imported or not.

However, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last month asked the meat
industry to go beyond the new policy, which was written by the Bush
administration, to be even more specific about where an animal was born,
raised and slaughtered.

But confusion over the policy is likely to linger as consumers and experts
struggle to understand exactly what is covered under the regulations —
and what isn't.

The regulations were first enacted in September, with a six-month window
for manufacturers and suppliers to come into compliance. As msnbc.com
reported, the regulations exclude a variety of foods that fall under the
labeling requirement, but are considered to be processed, such as roasted
peanuts, breaded chicken and bacon.

Click for related content
Fact file: Understanding new label of origin laws

The processing exemption also means that certain mixed foods, such as
bagged lettuce that includes more than one variety, or frozen peas and
carrots, don't have to be labeled.

A long time coming
The labeling requirements, which would apply to fresh meats and some
perishable fruits and vegetables, have long been debated in Congress. While
the meat industry and retailers responsible for the labels have protested
the changes — saying they are burdensome and could lead to higher prices
— consumer groups and northern state ranchers who compete with the
Canadian beef industry favor them.

All sides worked out a compromise during debate over the farm bill last
year, but much of the law was left open to interpretation by the
Agriculture Department.

While some retailers rushed to implement new rules, others have long
disclosed voluntarily where much of the food covered under the mandate is
from. Whole Foods, an upscale grocery chain, has long informed consumers
about products proecures locally as well as foods from far-flung lands.

The rule implemented Monday covers muscle cuts and ground beef, lamb,
chicken, goat and pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable
agricultural commodities (specifically fresh and frozen fruits and
vegetables); macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng and peanuts, according to the
USDA.

Commodities covered under COOL must be labeled at retail to indicate its
country of origin. For fish and shellfish, the method of production —
wild or farm-raised, — must be specified. Commodities are excluded from
mandatory COOL if the commodity is an ingredient in a processed food item.


The definition of a processed food item excludes food that has undergone a
physical or chemical change — such as cooking, curing or smoking — or
that has been combined with other foods.

The rule also excludes restaurants, lunchrooms, cafeterias, food stands,
bars, lounges and other other food service sites from participation.

More information about the specific requirements the regulation are
available from the USDA Web site.




  • [Livingontheland] Long-sought food labeling law takes effect today, Tradingpost, 03/16/2009

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