"If the sticker reads "Product of the United States" that may not mean exactly what you think it does. That is partially why a bipartisan group of Congressmen led by the Wyoming Republican Harriet Hageman and the California Democrat Ro Khanna reintroduced the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act on October 24, which would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef products. The bill would also raise fines for those that falsely label their beef as made in the USA, including multinational packers."
"In the United States, Country of Origin Labeling, or COOL laws for short, require retailers to print labels on agricultural products to inform the American consumer if a product is imported from other countries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the labeling system is neither a food safety nor a food traceability program but rather a consumer information program. It's why when you buy mangos or grapes or bananas you will see a sticker on the goods informing the consumer of the country"
"In 2002, Congress passed a series of laws implementing country of origin requirements for select commodities, including beef. But those requirements for beef were scuttled by Congress in 2015 after the World Trade Organization ruled that the U.S. MCOOL laws were in violation of WTO rules. Ever since that decision, beef that is labeled with "Product of the USA" stickers could actually be products that are raised outside the United States but packed for consumption inside our country."
A bipartisan bill reintroduced on October 24 would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef and increase fines for falsely labeling beef as made in the USA. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requires retailers to print labels indicating if agricultural products are imported. The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies COOL as a consumer information program rather than a food safety or traceability system. MCOOL requirements for beef were enacted in 2002 but were rescinded in 2015 after a World Trade Organization ruling that found U.S. rules violated WTO obligations. Since 2015, beef labeled 'Product of the USA' may contain cattle raised abroad but packed domestically.
Read at The American Conservative
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