The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 repealed the Country of Origin Labeling requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork and ground beef and pork. USDA stopped enforcing the COOL requirements for beef and pork on Dec. 18, 2015. Now, the agency has issued a final rule amending the COOL regulations.

COOL is a labeling law that for marketing purposes requires retailers to provide their customers with information regarding the country of origin of regulated commodities. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is responsible for the administration and enforcement of COOL regulations.

Under this final rule, beef and pork muscle cuts and ground beef and pork are removed from the list of covered commodities subject to the COOL regulation.  Retailers are no longer required to provide this information for beef and pork at the point of sale.  COOL regulatory requirements for chicken, lamb, goat, farm-raised and wild caught fish and shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and ginseng are still in effect.

A final rule published in the Federal Register March 2 removes beef and pork from the list of covered commodities subject to COOL.. (Photo: Purestock/Thinkstock)

All imported and domestic meat products continue to be subject to inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2016, and is effective upon publication.  For additional information, contact AMS by phone at (202) 720-4486 or send an email to: [email protected].

Source: USDA AMS