http://itchmoforums.com/off-topic-no-politics/update-on-cool-t4723.0.htmlThe penalty and audit provisions were modified in both the House and Senate versions in a manner that would shift some of the burdens of recordkeeping and potential liability from retailers to suppliers. Also, the maximum penalty for violations would be reduced from $10,000 to $1,000 per violation. ...
The House Farm Bill implements mandatory COOL for beef, lamb, pork, and goat, and establishes three labeling options for these commodities:
U.S. Country of Origin: The animal must be born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States
A Mixed Origin meat label is required for animals that were not exclusively born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States
The Imported Meat label is required for animals from foreign countries
Ground meat products are required to be labeled with a narrative list of countries from which the products could be derived, but does not require the label to specify the percentage of product from the respective countries. Verification of country of origin may be established through existing documentation, e.g., normal business records, animal health papers, import or customs documents, or producer affidavits.
The Senate language is similar to the House but adds chicken and macadamia nuts as covered commodities Annoying, isn't it, that the penalties are not stiff enough.
Can't wait to see narrative list of countries from which the products
could be derived ... hope one can still see
enough of the meat to figure out if it looks even remotely fresh, despite treating with carbon dioxide.
I also hope consumers, who have been waiting for any of this COOL legislation, will complain long and loud to the retailers
about failure to implement immediately and threaten to report any products not having it to the USDA.
