http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=Newsroom&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5070943&dID=96984&wf=false&description=USDA+Takes+Action+on+Mandatory+Country+of+Origin+Labeling+&topNav=Newsroom&leftNav=&rightNav1=&rightNav2=

USDA Takes Action on Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling 
Contact:
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued an interim final rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program that will become effective on Sept. 30.

The rule covers muscle cuts and ground beef (including veal), lamb, chicken, goat, and pork; perishable agricultural commodities (fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables); macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng; and peanuts -- as required by the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills. USDA implemented the COOL program for fish and shellfish covered commodities in October 2004.

Commodities covered under COOL must be labeled at retail to indicate their country of origin. However, they are excluded from mandatory COOL if they are an ingredient in a processed food item.  

Start demanding labels on meats and fruits and vegetables at the retailers.

It's only half a bone, Sandi, but I know I'll use it in my consumer purchasing
decisions, and for that I have to thank USDA. For not making pet food safer
or even making a token showing, I know who to thank.

I mean I am glad that some things are covered, its better than nothing but I dont see anything being done for pet food at all.  I wonder where Mike Floyd is, he was about the only voice we had..... OK, now Im depressed.    

I'd feel better if we all joined together for a lunch-hurling in honor of PFI.   

Well I am hurling dinner (time difference) and too angry to write anything else right now....

what a joke....
 

The rule outlines the requirements for labeling covered commodities. It reduces the recordkeeping retention requirements for suppliers and centrally-located retail records to one year and removes the requirement to maintain records at the retail store. The law provides for penalties for both suppliers and retailers found in violation of the law of up to $1,000 per violation.

The rule will become effective on Sept. 30, 2008. To allow time for covered commodities that are already in the chain of commerce -- and for which no origin information is known or been provided -- to clear the system, the requirements of this rule will not apply to covered commodities produced or packaged before Sept. 30, 2008

Copies of the interim final rule:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateM&navID=CountryofOriginLabeling&rightNav1=CountryofOriginLabeling&topNav=&leftNav=CommodityAreas&page=CountryOfOriginLabeling&acct=cntryoforgnlbl

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Problems_With_Food_Products/index.asp
What can you do?
For Help With Meat, Poultry And Egg Products:
Call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

For Help With Non-Meat Food Products (Cereals, Fish, Produce, Fruit Juice, Pastas, Cheeses, etc):
For complaints about food products which do not contain meat or poultry -- such as cereal -- call or write to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Check your local phone book under U.S. Government, Health and Human Services, to find an FDA office in your area. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition can be reached at 1-888-723-3366.

See FDA Emergency Reporting Numbers, state by state, at:
http://itchmoforums.com/news-recall-related/pet-food-problems-fda-emergency-report-number-november-2007-t2629.0.html

In order for the USDA to investigate a problem with meat, poultry or egg products, you must have:

The original container or packaging
Any foreign object that you might have discovered in the product
Any uneaten portion of the food (refrigerate or freeze it)

Information you should be ready to tell the Hotline on the phone includes:
Name, address and phone number;
Brand name, product name and manufacturer of the product
The size and package type
Can or package codes (not UPC bar codes) and dates
Establishment number (EST) usually found in the circle or shield near the "USDA passed and inspected" phrase;
Name and location of the store, as well as the date that you purchased the product.
You can complain to the store or the product's manufacturer if you don't choose to make a formal complaint to the USDA.

This is something consumers can sink their teeth into beginning October 1, 2008. Be sure and tell the retail manager you're going
to file a complaint with the USDA/FDA. If the feds don't think it's important, the consumers have to let them know we want the
other processed foods part of the bone.

3cat always loopholes to let someone get around doing the right thing. Well that will mean people will need to refuse to buy the product/foodstuff unless its labeled whether its mixed with another vegetable/fruit or nut meat. The companies that want your trust in their product will step up and label theirs and not need more laws to make sure they do the right thing.

Still a sad thing for the pet food. But we will always be thankful to have this forum to find out information and share it immediately with others so their pets remain safe as possible. We've stuck together so far so need to keep on going to keep ahead of the curve.

3cat got a Page Not Found when clicking your new link??