All Imported Honey Must Be Marked With Country of Origin, AMS Says

Honey packed in containers that do not bear U.S. Department of Agriculture grade marks must still be labeled with the country of origin, the Agricultural Marketing Service said. AMS is issuing the clarification to respond to questions from several honey trade associations about a 2011 final rule on country of origin labeling (see 11010417), which said that “if the honey is not officially grade labeled, the country of origin labeling is not necessary whether the honey is domestic or foreign.” While that “is accurate within the context of the rule, which only applies to COOL associated with the use of approved official USDA marks or grade statements,” CBP requires that “every imported item be” labeled to indicate the country of origin, AMS said. To clarify, “honey packers must include conspicuous and indelible labeling, in English, naming the country of origin of all imported products, regardless of whether the product labeling uses approved USDA marks or grade statements,” the agency said.