Video Story
Watch VideoNew food labels will tell country of origin
Story By: Jamie Smith
Source: NBC
Consumers will now be able to look at a cut of meat or a piece of fruit, and know where it came from. A new federal law that takes affect Wednesday requires food manufacturers and grocery stores to provide country or origin labels on a number of food items.
Starting this week, customers will know a lot more about where their meat and poultry came from, and whether the fruit they buy was grown in Costa Rico, Jamaica or the U.S.A. "The more information you have the better off you are. I want to know," said customer Bill Connors.
A law that took years in the making now requires disclosure of the origin of many foods including meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and certain nuts.
"I think it's very important. You never know the standards that are in other countries," said one customer.
Recent scares including salmonella tainted peppers from Mexico and China's milk scandal have raised consumer awareness. "A lot of countries are having problems with their meat and produce. We should know where our food's coming from," said customer Judd Pollock.
Opponents argue the law will cost wholesalers and retailers billions of dollars and raise food prices and unfairly imply imported food is not safe. "We're not opposed to other countries bring their product in. We're just saying join us, put your name on it," said Tom Buis, President of the National Farmers Union.
Retailers that haven't done so already have six months to add the country of origin labels to help ensure consumers know exactly where their food is coming from. If they fail to add the label, each labeling violation could result in a $1,000 fine.
Some stores like Whole Foods already label, and even trace some products back to the farm where they were produced. "The good thing is the consumer's going to know where their product is coming from," said Whole Food’s Dale Moore. And for many customers that provides a level of confidence they welcome..
Small food outlets like butcher shops, restaurants and school cafeterias are exempt from the new law. The law also doesn't apply to processed foods, for example with chicken, if spices, sauce or breading has been added no label is required.
