USDA sets origin-labeling rule for honey

USDA sets origin-labeling rule for honey    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will require domestic and foreign sourced honey with an official U.S. grade mark on the packaging to include in equivalent-sized lettering of the country of origin.
   AMS said it will take enforcement action if complaints are received. The agency said all complaints will be turned over to the its Compliance and Analysis Program staff, who will investigate the alleged violation. The rule takes effect Feb. 3.
      AMS estimates there are about 2,700 producers of honey, 41 handlers/packers, and 614 importers of honey and honey products. Based on data from the Census Bureau’s foreign trade statistics, 17 countries produced more than 98 percent of U.S. honey imports in 2009. Six of these countries produced more than 80 percent of the total imports of honey, including Brazil (19 percent), Vietnam (18 percent), India (14 percent), Argentina (11 percent), Malaysia (9 percent), and Canada (9 percent).
   For more details about the rule, access the Federal Register notice.