Transcript COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING (COOL) Agricultural Education

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
LABELING
(COOL)
CTAHR Agricultural Education Workshop
Matthew Loke
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Development Division
February 24, 2009
Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002
(2002 Farm Bill)
• Requires retailers to provide country-oforigin labeling for beef, lamb, pork, fish,
perishable agricultural commodities and
peanuts; and
• Delayed implementation for all covered
commodities except wild and farm-raised
fish and shellfish until Sept. 30, 2008.
Food, Conservation and Energy
Act of 2008
(2008 Farm Bill)
• Expanded the list of covered commodities
to also include chicken, goat, ginseng,
pecans, and macadamia nuts.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
2008 Farm Bill
Covered Commodities
•
Muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb,
chicken, goat, and pork; ground beef,
ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat,
and ground pork; fish and shellfish; fresh
and frozen fruits and vegetables; pecans;
peanuts; ginseng; and macadamia nuts.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Exempts Processed Food Items
•
Items of different origins that are combined
with at least one other covered commodity
or substantive food component; and
•
Undergone further processing resulting in
change in commodity character
(i.e. cooking, curing, smoking and
restructuring, roasting).
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Who must label – The Retailer
•
Retail business engaged in the selling of
fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables with
an annual invoice value of more than
$230,000 during a calendar year.
- Licensed by PACA
(Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Exempt Establishments
•
•
Food service establishments
including salad bars and delis
providing ready-to-eat foods; and
Butcher shops, fish markets, and
exporters.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Consumer Notification
•
•
Requires country of origin labeling by
retailers of covered commodities
conspicuously located at the final
point of sale; and
If from multiple origins, must list all
countries of origin.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Label Information
Labels must use commonly
understood designations such as:
- Product of Hawaii, USA
- Product of USA
- Produce of USA
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Acceptable Retail Labels
•
•
•
Acceptable origin abbreviations only
recognized by U.S. Customs may be
used;
No specific size of lettering; and
State or Regional designations are
acceptable in lieu of U.S.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Acceptable Retail Labeling - 2
•
•
Can either be in the form of a placard
or sign, label, sticker, band, twist tie,
pin tag or other format; and
May also use stamp, mark, or other
clear and visible sign on the package,
display, holding unit, or bin.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
State and Regional Labeling Program
•
•
State, regional or locality label
designations are acceptable
(i.e. “Hawaii Grown”)
State-level country of origin programs
governed by this regulation are
preempted.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Supplier Responsibility
•
•
The law requires suppliers of covered
commodities must provide origin
information to buyers; and
May be specified on invoice, bill of
lading, placard on bulk containers, or
on individual packages.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Record Keeping
•
•
•
All records must be legible and
maintained electronically or in hard
copy format;
May be maintained in any location for
at least one year; and
When requested, provide records to
USDA representatives within five
business days.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Record Keeping – 2
•
•
Required to maintain records for
one year from date origin is declared
at retail; and
Pre-labeled commodities, label is
sufficient evidence to establish
the origin.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Questions?
Please contact – HDOA/Commodities Branch
[email protected]
Phone: (808) 832-0707
[email protected]
Phone: (808) 832-0713
THANK YOU!