Country of Origin Labeling

Country of Origin Labeling 

Wal-Mart is no longer an All-American Store. In the 1980’s, Wal-Mart prided itself on its “Buy American” campaign, but the company abandoned this ideal in 1985. Reluctant to acknowledge the fact that most of its products are now made in foreign countries, Wal-Mart’s opposition to Country of Origin Labeling is only the company’s latest attempt to disguise its true nature. [Wal-Mart Press Release, 3/13/85]

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was passed as part of the 2002 farm bill. It is law.  However, when it came to be authorized and implemented, it has been consistently held up and delayed.  It is expected to be passed in the 2007 farm bill again and implemented.  But continuing opposition from companies like Wal-Mart could lead to further delays.

		Click here to listen to "Too Big, Too Bad," a radio announcement addressing Wal-Mart's stand on Country of Origin Labeling
		Click here to read the research behind the ad

A HISTORY OF WAL-MART’S OPPOSITION TO COOL

JUNE 1, 2003: In an interview with Beef magazine, Wal-Mart Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Perishable Foods Bruce Peterson says, “Ideally, we think the law should be repealed...It’s clear the proponents of COOL don’t understand the consumer. COOL applies costs to the system and provides zero benefits to the consumer.” [Beef magazine. June, 2003.]

• Click here to read Bruce Peterson's interview with Beef magazine.

JUNE 26, 2003: Peterson testifies before the House Agricultural Committee’s hearing on Country of Origin Labeling, saying, “Any overzealous regulations or laws which unduly burden our suppliers, many of whom are small and medium-sized enterprises, ultimately provides a disservice to our customers.” [Statement of Bruce T. Peterson, Jr., to the House Agricultural Committee, 6/26/2007]

• Click here to read Bruce Peterson's letter to House Agricultural Committee (PDF)

FEBRUARY 2, 2005: Peterson writes a letter to the Department of Agriculture’s William T. Hawks, urging a revision to the law that would place the bulk of labeling burdens on suppliers, not retailers: “We respectfully request that the USDA allow a complete supplier record to serve as the only record necessary at store level and remove the requirement for corporate or intermediary recordkeeping.” [Letter to the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs from Bruce Peterson, Executive Vice President of Wal-Mart, 2/2/05.]

2000-2004: Wal-Mart contributes more money to COOL opponents’ campaigns than any other company in the United States:
2000-2004: Wal-Mart spends more than $2.7 million on anti-COOL lobbying:

WAL-MART LABELS FOOD WHEN IT SUITS THEM

AUGUST 25, 2006: Wal-Mart is eager to label food when it benefits their image. In August 2005, Wal-Mart announced it would sell only American shrimp (in three states, not nationwide) due to “overwhelming consumer demand.” Wal-Mart touted this new policy in an attempt to win favor wth consumers. Despite this seeming advance, the company continues to purchase the vast majority of its seafood products from foreign waters. [“Wal-Mart to Sell Only US Shrimp in 3 States,” Biloxi Sun Herald, 8/25/06]

WHY DOESN’T WAL-MART SUPPORT COOL?

From Wal-Mart’s own website: “As the world’s largest retailer...we buy products from more than 60,000 suppliers in 70 countries.” As the country’s largest grocer, Wal-Mart follows the same practices, purchasing the majority of its food products from overseas. Labeling all these items will be costly and labor-intensive for Wal-Mart, but ultimately in the consumer’s best interest.
[http://walmartfacts.com/newsdesk/statement-speeches.aspx?categoryID=290#a1822]

RESOURCES

		Click here to download a printable fact sheet with all the information from this page.

Wal-Mart Watch is proud to support the National Farmer’s Union’s efforts to push for full funding and implementation of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.