COOL INTERIM RULE RELEASED, REGS TAKE EFFECT SEPT. 30

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released an interim final rule detailing requirements for complying with country of origin labeling (COOL). Any person engaged in the business of directly or indirectly supplying a retailer with fresh produce is required to maintain records establishing and identifying an immediate previous source (if applicable) and immediate subsequent recipient of a commodity for a period of one year from the date of the sale transaction.


USDA is prohibited from requiring anyone handling a commodity covered under COOL from keeping records beyond those retained through the normal business activities. For suppliers of pre-labeled products, the label itself is sufficient evidence from which the retailer may establish a product’s country of origin.


In general, a country of origin declaration may be provided by a label, stamp, mark, placard, twist tie, pin tag, or other clear and visible sign on the commodity packaging, display holding unit or bin containing product at the final point of sale to consumers.

FRESNO STATE GRAPE DAY, AUG. 12

Grape growers, packers, pest control advisors, and others interested in grape and wine production are encouraged to attend Fresno State Grape Day on Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at California State University, Fresno.
The Department of Viticulture and Enology and Viticulture and Enology Research Center is sponsoring the event.
Registration form and program details are available on-line at: http://cast.csufresno.edu/ve.