Regulatory Affairs

Country of Origin Labeling

Current Status and Recent Developments

• Retailer/Wholesaler Members

• COL update — October 2009
• COL Top 10 Tips for Inspection (July 2009)
  Earlier in the year USDA announced that it planned to inspect 1 out of every 7 grocery stores for COOL compliance before November 30, 2009. They have completed hundreds of the 5,000 grocery store inspections they intend to conduct. Overall, our industry appears to be doing quite well.  It is estimated that inspections will take approximately 3 hours and they are having a significant impact on our members -- at least 15,000 hours of time will be spent with state inspectors in stores before the November 30 deadline. The "top 10" practical tips for preparing for and dealing with country of origin labeling inspections are below. 
• FMI Web Presentation on USDA Procedures for Inspecting Retail Stores for COOL (June 5, 2009)
• USDA Retailer Guidance on COOL (edited by FMI) -- May 22, 2009 Web Seminar
• COL Requirements quick sheets for Produce, Meat and Seafood
• FMI’s Analysis of the Final COL Rule (January 2009)
  • Federal Register Notice(January 2009)

Consumer Brochure: Country-of-Origin Labeling on Meat Products

This brochure explains new country-of-origin labels mandated by Congress. The brochure details what products will carry labels and explains what different labels mean. The brochure also explains how and why meat is imported and the inspection and food safety rules that are in place to ensure that these products are safe. FMI Members are welcome to add their logo to this brochure so long as no text in the brochure is modified. To receive a design version of this brochure and a terms of use agreement, please click here.

• Country of Origin Labeling Interim Final Rule Sessions/Web Seminars (August 2008)
• FMI Paper on Country of Origin Implementation (February 2008)
• Meat COL Industry Partner Letter (June 8, 2007)
• Meat COL Sample Supplier Letter (June 2007)
• Montana Country of Origin Labeling Opposition (December 6, 2006)
• USDA Seafood COL Enforcement Materials (March, 2008)
• USDA Seafood COL Inspector Audit Workbook
• USDA Surveillance Review Procedures for Retail Facilities
• USDA Country of Origin Labeling Compliance Guide

• Updated Guidance on Store Level Implementation of Seafood COL Regulations (September 2005)
• Talking Points for Food Retailers and Wholesalers Country of Origin Labeling for Seafood (April 2005)
• Seafood COOL 101 Presentation (Updated April 2005)
• Retailers on the Hook for Seafood Labeling (Updated April 2005)
• Quick Q&A on Seafood COOL Interim Final Rule
• USDA Clarification on Seafood COL Recordkeeping (March 25, 2005)
• USDA Interim final rule on (IFR) Seafood COL -(69 Fed Reg 59708)(Oct. 5, 2004)
• Comments on Interim Final Rule for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Fish and Shellfish -(Docket No. LS-03-04)(Feb. 2, 2005)
• FMI Summary: USDA's Interim Final Regulation For Seafood COL (Oct. 1, 2004)
  
• FMI Webcast on COL IFR (Jan. 7, 2005)
  

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• FMI Telecast of Seafood COL IFR (Oct. 1, 2004)
  
• Press Release: New Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Rule for Seafood Issued; To Become Effective in Six Months
  

• FMI Analysis of Statute and Guidelines
• Comments to USDA
• Reference Material

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• FMI ANALYSIS OF STATUTE, GUIDELINES AND PROPOSED RULES
• The Law of Unintended Consequences
• Mandatory Madness
• Statement Of Deborah R. White, Associate General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs, Food Marketing Institute, Before The Committee On Agriculture, United States House Of Representatives (June 26, 2003)
• One Pager: Mad for Labeling: Debunking the Myth that Country of Origin Labeling Could Prevent BSE Outbreaks
• Comparison of Federal and Florida Country of Origin Labeling Laws
• COL Backgrounder
• Proposed Regulatory Provisions Relevant to Seafood (April 2004)
• USDA’s Proposed COL Rules (Webcast - November 3, 2003)
  
  
• Press Release: Produce, Beef, Pork, Seafood Producers, Food Retailers and Wholesalers to Create Program to Inform Consumers About Products' Country of Origin
• Key Vote Card: Support H.R. 2673 - The Consolidated Appropriations Act Fully Funding the Government, Two-Year COOL Delay are Vital

• COMMENTS TO USDA
• Comments on Interim Final Rule for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Fish and Shellfish -(Docket No. LS-03-04)(Feb. 2, 2005)
• Comments On Proposed Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Regulations (February 27, 2004)
• Estimated Costs Associated with Country of Origin Labeling Program (February 21, 2003)
• Record Keeping COL Costs (February 21, 2003)
• Farm Bill COL Provision (Section 10816) (Aug. 9, 2002)
• Guidelines for Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling Program (July 2, 2002)

• REFERENCE MATERIAL
• Statutory COL Provision (Section 10816 of 2002 Farm Bill)
• Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts (Docket No. AMS-LS-07-0081)
• Costs/Benefits of Interim Final Rule for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Fish and Seafood; Docket Number LS-03-04
• USDA COL Voluntary Guidelines
• USDA Proposed COL Regulations (October 30, 2003)
• OMB Letter to USDA on Proposed Regulations
• COL Report by GAO (August 2003)
• FMI's Reponse to GAO Report
• Q & A: Retailers on the Hook for Seafood Labeling in April

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