WASHINGTON -- Shoppers will have more information about where their food comes from under a new policy starting Monday.
Labels on most fresh meats, along with some fruits, vegetables and other foods, will now list where the food originated. In the case of meats, some labels will list where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered.
Food safety groups have long lobbied for the policy, which was enacted by Congress as part of a wide-ranging farm bill last year. It's also popular with ranchers in the northern part of the United States who compete with Canadian cattle producers.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last month asked the meat industry to go beyond the new policy, which was written by the Bush administration, to be even more specific about where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.
Food Label Law
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Food Label Law
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Dee,
The Canadian cattle producers are really upset about this turn of events, but surely none of them are so naive that they fail to realize that anytime you choose to pursue an export market, you are obligated to abide by the laws, (and the whims, for that matter), of the countries that you export to. Why should they, (or us, for that matter), expect to dictate policy for any sovereign foreign nation? Since they produce a quality product, they'll be OK in the long run, once the marketplace reshuffles the "pecking order", based on price and demand, after the respective market-share demand is "re-aligned", by consumer perceptions.
The original policy was so out of touch with reality, that it was ridiculous. Why shouldn't we be entitled to know where our food is coming from? If a foreign source wants to donate the food, I could see how anonymity might be arguably justified, but if we're paying for it, then there's no valid reason why information on the origin should ever be hidden from us. At least that's the way I see it.
Thanks for posting that.
Love,
Tex
The Canadian cattle producers are really upset about this turn of events, but surely none of them are so naive that they fail to realize that anytime you choose to pursue an export market, you are obligated to abide by the laws, (and the whims, for that matter), of the countries that you export to. Why should they, (or us, for that matter), expect to dictate policy for any sovereign foreign nation? Since they produce a quality product, they'll be OK in the long run, once the marketplace reshuffles the "pecking order", based on price and demand, after the respective market-share demand is "re-aligned", by consumer perceptions.
The original policy was so out of touch with reality, that it was ridiculous. Why shouldn't we be entitled to know where our food is coming from? If a foreign source wants to donate the food, I could see how anonymity might be arguably justified, but if we're paying for it, then there's no valid reason why information on the origin should ever be hidden from us. At least that's the way I see it.
Thanks for posting that.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I am so used to seeing country of origin on stuff, it is just normal here.
When you buy fresh food you see the "product of Vietnam" or wherever, or "product of Australia" and choose accordingly. Often the imported product will be cheaper, or processed differently (eg bleached garlic) so you get a real choice. It's funny seeing "Product of USA" cherries in midwinter of course, but then it explains the price and you know that they have traveled a long way.
Big Big help to consumers.
Lyn
When you buy fresh food you see the "product of Vietnam" or wherever, or "product of Australia" and choose accordingly. Often the imported product will be cheaper, or processed differently (eg bleached garlic) so you get a real choice. It's funny seeing "Product of USA" cherries in midwinter of course, but then it explains the price and you know that they have traveled a long way.
Big Big help to consumers.
Lyn