Retail Talking points for the
Certified Angus Beef® brand as it relates to mCOOL
Certified Angus Beef® product source
Understanding the various labeling options under mCOOL
On Sept. 30, 2008, mCOOL (Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling) began requiring identification of origin for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, and other perishable foods such as peanuts, pecans, ginseng and macadamia nuts. The labeling requirements are similar to those for fresh produce in grocery stores.
Government-approved mCOOL label options for meats are:
Bottom line: The Certified Angus Beef® brand delivers quality.
Certified Angus Beef® brand as it relates to mCOOL
The Certified Angus Beef® brand is your assurance of the quality within.
- With the brand’s symbol of high quality - it’s logo - you’ll begin seeing information about product source.
- New government legislation, called mCOOL, now requires retailers to identify country of origin for meats and other perishable foods.
- Livestock of all origins have been a part of the U.S. food supply for many years.
- mCOOL is not a food safety issue. It also does not address animal health.
Certified Angus Beef® product source
- With mCOOL, you’ll begin seeing a label on packages for "Product of USA, Canada and Mexico." This is a change only to the packaging, not to the Certified Angus Beef® brand or its high standards. The brand continues to offer the same high quality you and your customers have enjoyed for 30 years.
- The vast majority of Certified Angus Beef® products are from the United States. In fact, less than 4% of all Certified Angus Beef® products could ever come from cattle born in Canada or Mexico. The United States imports a small number of cattle from Canada and Mexico, and most of them are raised and harvested in the United States and incorporated into the nation’s cattle herd.
- Less than 1% of the brand’s beef is certified in Canada. Most satisfies consumer demand in that market. A very limited quantity could be exported to the United States as a "Product of Canada", and will likely end up in foodservice.
Understanding the various labeling options under mCOOL
On Sept. 30, 2008, mCOOL (Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling) began requiring identification of origin for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, and other perishable foods such as peanuts, pecans, ginseng and macadamia nuts. The labeling requirements are similar to those for fresh produce in grocery stores.
Government-approved mCOOL label options for meats are:
- Product of the U.S. - born, raised and harvested in the United States.
- Product of the U.S., Canada and Mexico - born in Canada or Mexico but raised in the United States.
- Product of (Country) and U.S. - born in another country but harvested in the United States. Cattle must be in the U.S. less than 14 days.
- Product of (Country) - born and harvested in another country.
Bottom line: The Certified Angus Beef® brand delivers quality.
- Certified Angus Beef® brand specifications ensure consistency and quality.
- These stringent standards result in the high-quality beef you’ve come to trust.