Before it became law, opponents of country of original labeling (COOL) mandates argued that it would drive up costs as companies became responsible for tracking meat from its conception to eventual sale at a grocery store's checkout lane.
Some merchants have decided they'd rather not play the labeling game and announced a policy change that would result in chains only selling meat made in the U.S.
Marsh and Meijer are among the chains only selling American raised meat products.
"With all of the different things that have happened medically to people, people frown on products not from the USA,” Marsh spokeswoman Connie Gardner told the Indianapolis Star.
Other chains that do sell meat imported from outside the U.S. include Wal-Mart Stores and Kroger. Both companies argued that meat imported from outside the U.S. is safe and must meet the same requirements as cuts from cattle and fowl raised here.
Wal-Mart Stores made the point that the company is international and that it draws on resources from many locations. Only poultry is 100 percent sourced domestically.
Kroger spokesperson John Elliott scoffed at the notion that meat processed in the U.S. is any safer than product from other locations.
"The largest recall we've seen on ground beef was actually a U.S. source,” Mr. Elliott told the Star. "The reality is that regardless of the country of origin there are stringent inspection rules in place.”
Discussion Questions: Will Meijer and Marsh be able to create an effective point of difference selling 'Made in the U.S.A.' meat and poultry? Do American consumers really care where their meat is coming from?