Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements, just like GMO labeling requirements, vary depending on the country and the type of products being labeled. COOL regulations are typically put in place to inform consumers about the origin of certain products, particularly in the food and agriculture sector. Below are general requirements and considerations related to COOL:
COOL In the USA
In the United States, COOL regulations are focused mostly on food products including meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even processed foods. In many situations, the USDA requires that fresh and frozen foods are labeled with information about where it came from. For most meat, for example, information must be available about where the animal was born, raised, and slaughtered. While there are some attempts to make this information printed on the labels, that is not yet a requirement for most products, unlike dietary labeling requirements for things like allergens and Organic certification.
COOL in the EU
In the European Union, COOL regulations are more comprehensive than in the US. They often require information to be readily available on labels (or via a QR code) so that consumers can easily determine where their food and other consumable products come from.
COOL in Canada
Canada’s requirements are focused on meat products, though there are efforts to expand this further. Having a more comprehensive set of country-of-origin labeling laws is generally considered a good thing as it provides consumers with more information about their foods.
