COOL Law going into effect September 30, 2008

After a six year effort, the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law will go into effect September 30, 2008. The law requires labeling on beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and other perishable items, such as fruits and vegetables and a variety of nuts. This law, originally passed in 2002, ran into resistance from both the federal government and food companies. Many on both sides felt the cost of such a law would be too high, and consequently the law was delayed in passage. The seafood and fish industry were the first in being required to provide COOL, which occurred in 2005.

There are a lot of twists and turns to be worked out in this legislation, however. While the consumer will be able to read where the product was grown or raised, it does not apply across the board to all foods and food products. For example, some beef processors may list multiple countries on their product label, as some of their items (such as ground meat or hamburger patties) are made from a variety of cuts of meat from different countries. Another cloudy area is processed foods. For example, states article author Stephen J. Hedges, states, “a bag of imported frozen peas, for instance, must list its country of origin under COOL. But a bag of peas mixed with carrots is considered processed, and does not require such a label.” Patty Lovera, assistant director of Food & Water Watch, a non-profit consumer rights organization, says “It’s considered processed if it’s combined with one other ingredient.” Here are a few more. “..if vegetables are imported and then mixed together by a U.S company, then they are considered processed and don’t need one (label)…another controversy involves imported livestock. Under COOL, meat derived from cattle imported into the U.S. for immediate slaughter can bear a label that states it’s a product of its origin country and the United States, even though the animal was raised entirely outside the U.S.” writes Stephen J. Hedges. Clear as mud? You bet. The issue is of great importance to Colin Woodall, executive director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We don’t know exactly how it’s all going to work…and we won’t know until it’s fully up and running,” stated Woodall. Another issue Woodall and other industry associations are trying to work out is how to verify the origins of cattle slaughtered each day to feed the U.S. They are also working on a way to assist ranchers in providing a means to show where there cattle came from, which, for a number of purposes, will provide important information.

Something did need to be done, however, in the light of increasing cases of food contamination and illness. Many Americans have become increasingly concerned about the origin of the foods they purchase and consume. While the cost of COOL will be huge (according to USDA in the first year labeling will run about $2.5 billion), it is a step that many consumers will likely find beneficial. No doubt in the future there will be necessary changes made to COOL. This legislation will hopefully provide a step in the right direction to tracking the origin of foods, and perhaps in the long run being able to provide global education and awareness of consistent food safety and handling procedures in all steps of the food chain.http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-food_labelsep13,0,780092,print.story