USDA has issues a 233-page interim final rule with request for comments on mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) as required by the 2008 farm bill with an implementation date of September 30, 2008.

The rules cover commodities including: muscle cuts of beef, veal, lamb, chicken, goat and pork, as well as ground beef, ground pork, ground lamb, ground chicken and ground goat.

"In order to meet the September 30, 2008 implementation date and to provide the newly affected industries the opportunity to provide comments prior to issuing a final rule, the Department is issuing this interim final rule," the agency said.

Comments must be received within 60 days and should be submitted to: www.regulations.gov. Written comments can be sent to: Country of Origin Labeling Program, Room 2607-S; Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA; Stop 0254; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington D.C. 20250-0254 or by facsimile to 202-354-4693.

The interim final rule contains definitions, the requirements for consumer notification and product making, and the record keeping responsibilities of both retailers and suppliers for covered commodities.

To view the entire rule document, click here.

By Janie Gabbett on 7/29/2008