Country-of-origin labeling?

This article was originally published in September 2015

The U.S. House repealed Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the middle of a longstanding but unfinished trade dispute at the World Trade Organization. The Senate now will consider repealing or converting COOL to a voluntary claim, allowing meatpackers to decide if consumers can know the origin of beef, pork, fresh seafood and single-ingredient vegetables and nuts.

PCC has advocated and supported COOL at least since 2008 and this appears to be the final stage of the long-running fight for transparency. PCC joined with Food & Water Watch in sending a letter to Senate Committee members, urging them not to be hasty and not to act until the trade dispute with WTO follows due process to completion.

Also in this issue

DARK Act update

HR 1599, commonly known as "Deny Americans the Right to Know [DARK] Act," would preempt mandatory GE labeling nationwide. Here's where it stands.

Letters to the editor, September 2015

PCC home delivery, PCC Advocates e-newsletter, "Natural" flavors, and more

Staff picks

No one knows better than PCC staff what products are worth trying. Here's a collection of their favorites this month, including not-to-be-missed cheese, chocolate and wine.