Dive Brief:
- The Senate has introduced the Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and Trade Enhancement Act of 2015, which "would remove certain meats from the mandatory country-of-origin (COOL) labeling program and institute a voluntary label instead," according to Food Safety News.
- In May, the World Trade Organization denied the U.S.'s fourth and final appeal to overturn the WTO's ruling that COOL labeling unfairly discriminates against meat imports, particularly those from Canada and Mexico. Soon after, the House Agriculture Committee voted 38-6 in favor of repealing the law.
- The latest plan, introduced Thursday, would allow "Product of the U.S." labeling for beef, pork, chicken, and ground meat of animals U.S. born, raised, and harvested.
Dive Insight:
The legislation introduced by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) in effect, provides country of origin information — but by default. The COOL revision comes on the same day that the House passed a bill that would prevent manadatory state GMO labeling regulations.