'CoOL Friday' is October 16
Friday October 16 is World Food Day, and here in New Zealand it is being relabelled, as “CoOL Friday”.
The coalition of groups behind the “CoOL New Zealand” campaign to bring mandatory country of origin labelling to this country are organising a week of action starting on October 16.
More than 30 different organisations support the need for “CoOL” in New Zealand (www.cool.org.nz).
Horticulture New Zealand, the National Beekeepers’ Association, New Zealand Pork, New Zealand Flower Growers Association and Organics Aotearoa New Zealand are among the primary sector groups working hard to keep this issue in the public eye, along with many other groups including the Green Party, the Council of Trade Unions, Consumer New Zealand, Rural Women New Zealand and New Zealand Federation of Business & Professional Women.
The focus for ‘CoOL Friday’ will be a public forum to bring together representatives of growers, farmers and consumers for a discussion about country of origin labelling – and why New Zealand needs it.
All farmers, growers and consumers are welcome to attend.
Two panels of speakers representing farmers/growers and consumers will give their opinions on the issue and will answer questions from the audience.
The growers’ panel will include New Zealand Pork chief executive Sam McIvor, HortNZ director and tomato grower Tony Ivicevich and nashi grower Mark Fort.
The consumer panel will include Green MP Sue Kedgley, the chief executive of Consumer New Zealand Sue Chetwin and world champion athlete Alison Roe.
Date: Friday October 16
Time: 12noon – 2pm
Venue: Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Auckland.
CoOL Day in the USA!
March 25, 2009
The long-awaited country of origin labelling regulations came into force in the USA on March 16, 2009.
Reports are that most retailers and manufacturers were already up to speed on what was required.
This from Packaging News/Santa Barbara News Press:
"We've had it in place for a while," said Kendra Doyle, a spokeswoman for Ralphs Grocery Co., referring to a rule that requires retailers to inform consumers where certain meats and agricultural products come from. "We knew it was coming down the pike, so we made it happen months ago. Food safety is critical to Ralphs (and all Kroger companies) and our customers have appreciated the information. So far it's been a positive."
The COOL regulation requires country-of-origin labeling for packaged fresh meats. Other items that must be labeled at the grocer's case to indicate the country of origin include wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts; and ginseng sold by designated retailers.
‘Honest Food’ CoOL Campaign in UK
http://www.conservatives.com/Campaigns/Honest_Food/Honest_Food.aspx
The British Conservative party has started an "Honest Food" campaign to toughen up the British laws on country of origin labelling.
The Tories are using messages quite familiar to all of us involved in CoOL New Zealand’s campaign for CoOL in this country, saying British consumers should be free to buy food from any country, but real choice requires real information. Exactly!!
Their campaign is being given support by prominent British foodie Clarissa Dickson Wright, one of the famous ‘Two Fat Ladies’ Tv cooks.
If nothing else it appears the Conservatives have worked out what a growing issue this is for consumers.
Join the Facebook Group 'I Want A CoOL New Zealand'
CoOL New Zealand is on Facebook.
Join our group and send this link to your friends, family, workmates and anyone else who cares about what goes in the shopping trolley, in the fridge and on the dinner table!
www.facebook.com/group.php
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