Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Law Consumer caution about the
food we eat has become common because of recent food recalls and
foodborne illness outbreaks. Concerned consumers now have the
opportunity to purchase foods from other countries where they
feel there are better safety oversights. The law was initially
proposed by U.S. farmers and ranchers who thought people would
prefer to buy meat produced in the United States. COOL is a
federal regulation that requires retailers to clearly label the
country where certain foods come from. Those foods include beef,
veal, lamb, pork, goat, and chicken; farm-raised fish and
shellfish; wild fish and shellfish; peanuts; ginseng; pecans;
macadamia nuts; and perishable agricultural commodities (this
term refers to fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables). In some
small towns you may not see a COOL label on the fresh and frozen
fruits and vegetables. The label is only required at grocery
stores, or meat markets, for these perishable agricultural
commodities, if that bus