For Immediate Release:
October 14, 2008

Contact:
Michael Norton
(207) 885-3132

More foods carry ‘country of origin’ labels
New federal requirements took effect Sept. 30, 2008

For years, many foods sold in supermarkets have noted “country of origin” – where the product comes from – such as salmon from Norway, olive oil from Italy and cheese from France.

Now, even more foods are being sold with labels or signs citing the source country, thanks to a new federal law requiring country of origin labeling (COOL) of certain produce and meat items.

“Consumers are very interested in where their products come from,” said Michael Norton, Hannaford director of corporate communications. “That’s especially important for us, since we source worldwide to provide our customers with the best combination of selection, quality and price year-round.”

Below is key information about the labeling law, which went into effect Sept. 30, 2008:

• The regulations affect beef, pork, lamb, chicken, goat meat, seafood, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, pecans, peanuts, macadamia nuts and ginseng. 

• Labeling for fish and seafood started in 2004, but Congress delayed requirements for the other commodities until Sept. 30, 2008.

• For produce, nuts and ginseng, the label reflects where the product was grown; for meat and chicken, it’s where the animal was born, raised and harvested. For example, a U.S. beef producer may purchase calves from Mexico, so the country of origin is both Mexico and the United States.

• For some items, the countries of origin are located on the packaging itself. For bulk items – such as oranges – the information will be available either on a sticker on the item, or next to the shelf tag or overhead sign.

• The law only applies to fresh items in the meat and produce departments. Any foods that are cooked, smoked, cured, roasted or combined with other products do not need to be labeled with the country of origin. Common examples of exempt items within these departments are marinated pork shoulders and pre-packaged salads.

The Hannaford commitment to global sourcing includes offering the best locally grown and locally made foods available through the Close to Home program, which supports local farmers and producers and helps strengthen area economies and communities.

“It comes down to providing our customers with high-quality products, whether they’re produced nearby or the other side of the world,” Norton said.

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About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 165 stores and employs more than 27,000 associates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Most Hannaford locations have full-service pharmacies and all stores feature Guiding Stars, the nation's first storewide nutrition navigation system. Hannaford is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium. For additional information, visit www.hannaford.com.