It couldn’t come at a better time. With the melamine contamination growing and this summer’s salmonella outbreak making us all more concerned over the safety of imported foods, it’ll help to see where the food in our grocery stores is coming from or where it was grown.
Starting today, more food will be labeled with the country of origin. It’s all part of what’s called the COOL law – country-of-origin-labeling. Cool, right? But it can be a little confusing. Here’s what you need to know:
- The new law requires country of origin labeling on raw beef, veal, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and whole ginseng.
- The labels will not be on processed foods. For example, plain raw chicken must be labeled, but not breaded chicken tenders. Raw pork chops are labeled, but not ham or bacon. Fresh or frozen peas get labeled, but not canned peas. Raw shelled pecans, but not a trail mix.
- Mixed foods are exempt, too. So cantaloupe slices from Guatemala get labeled. But if they’re mixed with some Florida watermelon chunks, they don’t have to be labeled. Frozen peas will be labeled, but not a combo of frozen peas and carrots. As far as bagged salads – the USDA considers iceberg and Romaine to be just lettuce, so that bag gets a label. But if you add some radicchio, there won’t be a label.
The processed and mixed foods get a little confusing, but for the most part I think this will help – especially if there’s an outbreak. If I question something, I think I’ll just buy local. How about you – what do you think of the new country of origin labeling? Does it go far enough?
The laws in Canada concerning country of origin are changing as of the new year, but at the current time Canadians are buying carrots from China that are being re-packaged as Product of Canada.
These carrots are also being sold to Americans as product of Canada.
Way to go government of Canada.
I blogged on this here – http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/is-your-food-safe-from-melamine/
You will have to scroll down a bit to see this specific example
I like the idea of labeling (but what a pip for Canada as DR mentions above). The more info provided, the better I’m able to make an educated decision. Even though there will be confusion about processed and mixed foods, I think it puts us one step closer to bringing another level of awareness to the general public.
Interesting…
My dad lives in the US, buys onions from Chile, sends them to China for processing and then sells them in Japan!
What is the country of origin?
Luv
Wow, hb – that’s a great question! I wonder how it will be labeled…
I think this is an excellent idea. However, I have been buying fruits and vegetables from the farmers at my local farmer’s market. It’s important for us to support the growers in our community.