June 9, 2008

ISSUE 1222

DRAFT COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES COMPLETED

The Produce Marketing Association and Western Growers Association have completed their recommended COOL best practices and have made them available for industry review and adoption.

The best practices can be accessed at http://www.pma.com/issues/labeling.cfm.

The draft best practices, which address supplier and retailer origin labeling and recordkeeping, will be adapted to meet the forthcoming USDA regulations upon their release, which is expected in July. Although it is not known how quickly after the Sept. 30 origin labeling deadline USDA will begin in-store compliance checks, it is generally believed that the agency will allow a phase-in period (possibly ranging from six months to one year).

PMA and WGA say their intent is that the country of origin draft best management practices will be implemented as soon as practically possible by all supply chain partners during the phase-in period, and that full compliance be achieved on or before the end of the phase-in period.

PMA and WGA will co-host a free Webinar June 24 at 4 p.m. for industry to provide feedback on the draft country of origin labeling best practices. Additional specifics of this meeting, including registration details, will be available soon.

 

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