Country-of-origin rules take effect March 16

Final U.S. regulations requiring meat and fresh produce to be labeled with country of origin will take effect March 16, the Department of Agriculture said.

The labeling rule, also known as COOL, is a longtime goal of U.S. farmers and ranchers convinced that identifying imported food may encourage manufacturers to use more U.S. products. Meat companies have opposed it and helped delay the requirements for years, saying they will result in additional expenses for labor, labels and changes to facilities needed to separate foreign and domestic products.