USDA’s Proposed Country of Origin Labeling Rule Will Benefit Consumers

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter

Washington, D.C.—“Food & Water Watch commends USDA for taking sensible steps to strengthen Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for meat. There is overwhelming consumer support for country of origin labels and a growing interest by consumers in knowing the source of their food. The USDA’s proposed rule will help families know where the meat in their supermarket came from.

“The proposed changes eliminate the vague and misleading ‘mixed origin’ country of origin label for meat and ensures that each cut of meat clearly displays each stage of production (where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered) on the label. This commonsense approach improves the usefulness of the information consumers receive from the label and allows livestock producers to distinguish their products in the marketplace.

“Improving the integrity of country of origin labels and providing clear, straightforward information also addresses concerns brought in a World Trade Organization challenge to the current rules. We urge the USDA to finalize this proposed rule.”