Agricultural Marketing Service
About AMS Newsroom Opportunity Online Forms Help Contact Us
 
 
Commodity Areas
Market News
Grading, Certification and Verfication
Science and Laboratories
National Organic Program
Commodity Purchasing
Agricultural Transportation
Farmers Markets and Local Food Marketing
Fair Trading Regulations
Industry Marketing and Promotion
International Marketing
 
You are here: Home / CommodityAreas / Country of Origin Labeling
 
Agricultural Marketing Service
 
Country of Origin Labeling  
Country of Origin Labeling is a labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets, and club warehouse stores, notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Food products, (covered commodities) contained in the law include muscle cut and ground meats: beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng. Regulations for fish and shellfish covered commodities (7 CFR Part 60) became effective in 2005. The final rule for all covered commodities (7 CFR Part 60 and Part 65) went into effect on March 16, 2009. AMS is responsible for administration and enforcement of COOL.

Final Rule

 
  • § 60.132 Waters of the United States – Appendix A - PDF

 
Spotlights

 
  • Secretary Vilsack’s Letter to Industry, February 20, 2009 – PDF

 
Guidance Documents

 
  • COOL Final Rule Presentation – PPS
  • Summary of Changes: Final Rule January 15, 2009 - PDF

 

 
  • Abbreviations Guidance - PDF

 
  • Talking Points – PDF
  • Questions and Answers – PDF
  • Labeling Options – PDF

 
  • Supplier Brochure – PDF
  • Retailer Brochure – PDF

 
Contact Us

 
Martin E. O’Connor, Chief
USDA-AMS-LS-SAT
Room 2607-S, Stop 0254
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-0254
(202) 720 - 4486

 
Laws Rules and Policies
 
  FSIS Labeling Approval Regulations for COOL Meat and Poultry Products - PDF file - March 20, 2009  
 
  Legislative and Regulatory Historical Information  
 
Resources
 
  COOL News Releases  
 
  Examples of Records for COOL verification  
 
  Customs and Border Protection Rulings  
 
  Subscribe to Listserv  
 
  COOL Consumer Information  
 
Training Materials
 
  Training Materials for State Cooperators  
 
  Training Materials for Retailers  
 
  Training Materials for Suppliers  
 
Media Help
 
  Download Adobe Acrobat Reader  
 
 
  Last Modified Date: 10/14/2009