Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a mandatory U.S. labeling law enforced by the USDA. It requires that retailers notify their customers with information concerning the source of certain foods. Customs regulations state that every foreign product entering the United States must be clearly labeled with the country of origin, in English. In relation to meat, current COOL regulations and requirements are still in place for chicken, lamb, goat, farm-raised and wild caught fish and shellfish.

Past labeling laws from the 2002 Farm Bill required COOL for ground and muscle cuts of beef, lamb, and pork, as well as farm-raised fish, wild fish, and shellfish ensured that animas that were only born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States could be qualified as “Product of the USA.”

In 2015, Congress passed the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (an omnibus spending bill, Pub. L. NO. 114-114) that repealed all COOL requirements for ground and muscle cuts of beef and pork. The USDA longer enforces the COOL regulations for beef and pork in accordance with the law.

Current USDA laws state that beef and pork that is born, raised, and slaughtered in another country but processed in the United States can be labeled as “Product of USA”.

To learn more visit:
USDA Country of Origin Labeling Rules and Regulations
USDA Country of Origin Labeling History