The new labeling laws take effect on March 30, 2009. Retailers are required to label country of origin for foods including fruits, vegetables, meats, and nuts.
Any store that sells less than $230,000 worth of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be subject to the new label laws are not required to label imports. Think about this practically -- it basically excludes most butcher shops and fish shops, local fruitsellers and small grocery stores.
Enforcement is done by the Department of Agriculture which has only allocated $1 million dollars for enforcement of country-of-origin rules nationwide. Stay tuned . . .
