New labels will tell you where some, but not all of your food comes from

Seattle supermarkets and other food retailers are now required to label certain food products so that customers can tell which country their food comes from.

Under the new federal regulations that go into effect today (Sept. 30), retailers must provide “Country of Origin Labeling” for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, peanuts, pecans, genseng, macadamia nuts and perishable agricultural commodities, including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

However, “processed” foods, such as breaded chicken tenders, some salad mixes and fruit cups, and frozen vegetable medley’s do not require a country of origin label under the new COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) rules.

Meat sold in smaller butcher shops, ham and bacon, trail mix, lettuce in salad bars are all exempt from the labeling law.

To learn more:

• Use the “COOL TOOL” prepared by the Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumers Report to see what’s covered by the new labeling rules and what’s not.

To learn more:

Tags: COOL, Country of Origin Labels

Category: Diet & Nutrition, Health-care Policy, Prevention, Safety, Uncategorized