PRODUCE GROUP TO HOLD LABELING WORKSHOP

PRODUCE GROUP TO HOLD LABELING WORKSHOP    The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association will hold a workshop in Long Beach, Calif., on Feb. 23 to discuss the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new country of origin labeling requirements for produce.
   In last year’s Farm Bill, Congress directed the USDA to develop guidelines for interim voluntary labeling in advance of the mandatory regulation that must be in place by Sept. 30, 2004. The voluntary guidelines were published by the USDA in September.
   The country of origin labeling issues forum will start with an overview of the current voluntary guidelines presented by Eric Forman, associate deputy administrator for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s fruit and vegetable program.