Despite protests from a coalition of the major food associations, the US Department of Agriculture has laid out the specifics for its mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) programme.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The proposed rule identifies what products fall under the law and who is responsible for fulfilling them, with most cuts of meat and variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and dairy products required to carry a “United States country of origin” declaration at the retail level.


Most processed foods and all restaurant meals are exempt. Also, under the legislation, country of origin labels for fish and shellfish would have to distinguish between wild and farm-raised products.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now