Imported Food Labeling

Factual Questions
1

Does imported food sold in the USA required to be labeled with Country of origin?
I ask because pumpkin seeds for sale in the bulk Isle at the local grocery store are labeled from China, packaged pumkin seeds in the candy section have no origin on the label. So I am assuming the packaged seeds originated in the USA.
Thanks

2

The term you are looking for if you really want to delve into the regulations is COOL, for Country of Origin Labeling. Here is a good site that explains things fairly well. Click on the Questions and Answers PDF.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/COOL

Basically unless a foodstuff was ‘substantially processed’ it needs to have a COOL labeling. If the product has been ‘substantially processed’ it is viewed as an ingredient and doesn’t require COOL labeling.

Retail establishments where the product is eaten on the premises are exempt.

I would say that the packaged pumpkin seeds should have had a COOL label on them somewhere.

My new computer is acting sluggish, or perhaps its the board, so I will keep this brief.

3

Thanks for your reply. The seeds are roasted so they fall under the processing catagory therefore not needing a COOL.

From your site:
“Specific processing that results in a change in the character
of the covered commodity includes cooking (e.g., frying, broiling, grilling, boiling,
steaming, baking, roasting), curing (e.g., salt curing, sugar curing, dryin”
Specific processing that results in a change in the character
of the covered commodity includes cooking (e.g., frying, broiling, grilling, boiling,
steaming, baking, roasting), curing (e.g., salt curing, sugar curing, dryin