Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- March 24, 2009

Country of Origin Labeling helps consumers shop smart (:41)

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Suggested Intro:

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ENACTED A PROGRAM REQUIRING LABELS ON CERTAIN FOOD PRODUCTS TO DISPLAY THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. AN EXPERT IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS THE PROGRAM WILL HELP CONSUMERS MAKE INFORMED PURCHASING DECISIONS. CHUCK GILL REPORTS:

Story:

(:20) EVER WONDER HOW FAR THAT GROUND BEEF HAD TO TRAVEL TO GET TO YOUR DINNER TABLE? WELL, NOW THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE RIGHT ON THE PRODUCT LABEL. THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING PROGRAM, OR "COOL" NOW IN EFFECT REQUIRES THAT CONSUMERS BE PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THEIR FOOD. PENN STATE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, JIM DUNN SAYS THIS TRACEBACK PROGRAM WILL BENEFIT THE CONSUMER:

Dunn Actuality:
(:09) "COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING ALLOWS YOU TO EXERCISE MORE JUDGMENT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE BUYING."

(:12) DUNN SAYS THE PROGRAM WILL HELP CONSUMERS AVOID PRODUCTS FROM REGIONS WHERE FOOD CONTIMINATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED. "COOL" APPLIES TO MANY MEAT PRODUCTS INCLUDING BEEF, PORK AND CHICKEN. IT ALSO REQUIRES PUBLISHED LABELS FOR FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND CERTAIN KINDS OF NUTS. FROM PENN STATE, I'M CHUCK GILL.

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Learn more:

Age and Source Verification and COOL (Country of Origin Labeling)

 

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