Country of origin labeling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Country of origin labeling - Research Paper Example On September 2008, The United States Congress expanded the provisions of the COOL law and added more food items like fresh fruits and vegetables under the jurisdiction of this law. This paper will discuss the Country of Origin Labeling law, its advantages, and disadvantages. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Although this rule was proposed several years before, it went into effect in the country on 30th September 2008. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 was amended by ‘the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills’ as part of providing source country information to customers (National Archives and Records Administration, 2009). The 2008 Farm Bill includes a set of provisions such as addition of new commodities and requirement for labeling products of multiple origins. This framework also requires a supplier to share country of origin and other production information with the retailer. Retail firms which are functioning under the Perishable Agricultural Marketing Act (PACA) are legall y liable to comply with the provisions of the COOL. A person selling any type of perishable goods at retail comes under the jurisdiction of PACA. As per PACA requirements, retailers must be licensed when their invoiced purchase costs of perishable agricultural commodities exceed a limit of $230,000 during a calendar year (Rynn & Janowdky, LLP, 2010). According to this Act, perishable agricultural commodities include fresh fruits and vegetables. Since exporters are excluded in the definition, they do not need to adhere to COOL requirements. Similarly, other food service establishments such as restaurants, lunchrooms, bars, lounges, taverns are also exempt from this rule in addition to salad bars and delicatessens that supply fast food. In addition, processed foods- which refer to food items undergone several processing changes- like chocolate, bagged salad, mixed nuts, breading, and orange juice need to comply with COOL requirements (cited in GPO Access, 2012). However, it must be no ted that this law covers some additional items such as canned roasted peanuts although they are considered as a processed food. The origin of country labeling statute clearly directs that if the covered commodity undergoes the processes like frying, boiling, roasting, broiling, steaming, curing, grilling, baking, smoked, or restructuring, the item does not need to be labeled (Third Party Written Submission of Australia, 2010). As Johnecheck (2010) points out, the COOL rule clearly states that the labeling has to be specific and accurate. According to this statute, the labeling option may include sticker, label, sign, placard, twist tie, pin tag, stamp, or band. It is allowable for the retailer to give the information on the package, holding unit, display material, or the bin placed at the end point of the sale. The country of origin information must be displayed in a conspicuous place so that customer can easily read and understand the information during the course of purchase proce ss. The rule also specifically mentions that the country of origin information printed or handwritten should not overlay other labeling information mandated by the Federal regulation. Sometimes, retailers may use bulk containers to display a large number of products, including covered commodities from different countries. Under such circumstances, retailers are required to list all possible origins and other product information. Nowadays, the concept of e-commerce has attained