Local News
Beef, pork labels no longer required to have country of origin
Congress repealed requirement
as part of omnibus bill
No longer will you know where your beef or pork comes from.
Friday, Congress repealed the country-of-origin (COOL) rule on beef and pork. This, after an imposed $1 billion tariff against the U.S. from the World Trade Organization (TWO), if the rule was not overturned.
COOL lets consumers know what country their meat is born, raised and slaughtered on its packaging. Or, it did.
” Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules,” Agriculture sec. Tom Vilsack said, though he reassured consumers that, “all imported and domestic meat will continue to be subject to rigorous inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.
Chicken and lamb will still be following COOL.