WHO NEEDS TO LABEL PRODUCTS?

The mandatory country of origin labeling law requires many, but not all, retailers to ensure that country of origin information is provided for certain beef, lamb, chicken, goat, and pork products (covered commodities). The law also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations to implement these labeling requirements and USDA published a final rule that goes into effect on March 16, 2009. 
 

Packers and processors that supply covered commodities to their retail customers must provide COOL information to those retailers and that information can be provided in a number of ways, including providing the information on invoices or other transaction documents, providing the labels to the retailer, or labeling the product directly.