Consumers Union Urges Congress to Vote No on Repealing COOL Standards

WASHINGTON, DC – Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, in a letter urged House lawmakers to oppose a repeal of country of origin labeling (COOL) in today’s floor vote. The standards require certain meat products to indicate where the meat or chicken was born, raised and slaughtered.

The legislation (H.R. 2393) comes in the wake of a World Trade Organization ruling against the U.S. rules for COOL, saying they put Mexican and Canadian meat imports at an unfair disadvantage. But the proposed repeal goes even further than the WTO case, repealing COOL labels for products, like chicken and ground meat, that were not even considered by the case. Consumers Union cautioned lawmakers from doing away with the labeling standards and urged the U.S. to negotiate a settlement with Mexico and Canada.

“When consumers shop for food, they deserve – and continually tell us that they want – to know where it comes from. These labels provide valuable information to shoppers and can help them make informed decisions if, for example, there a foodborne illness outbreak,” said Jean Halloran, Director of Consumers Union’s Food Policy Initiatives. “Congress passed country-of-origin labeling in a sound democratic manner after much debate and compromise, and it has withstood legal challenges from industry and other attempts at delay. To repeal COOL now would leave consumers in the lurch the next time they go shopping.

“Congress should not be intimidated by other countries’ efforts to water down our standards. We strongly urge lawmakers to vote no on this effort to repeal COOL today,” said Halloran.

For a copy of the letter, contact Kara Kelber or David Butler.

Media Contacts:
David Butler, Consumers Union, 202.462.6262 or dbutler@consumer.org
Kara Kelber, Consumers Union, 202.462.6262 or kkelber@consumer.org

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

© 2015 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.