What are the recordkeeping requirements for COOL?
A. The final rule requires retailers to keep records or other documentary evidence maintained in the normal course of business that permits verification of origin claims made at retail for all of the covered commodities. These records may be maintained in any location and, upon request, must be provided to any duly authorized representatives of USDA within 5 business days of the request. For covered commodities to be considered pre-labeled, consumer-ready packages or the master shipping container must identify the country of origin, method of production for fish and shellfish, and the name and place of business of the supplier. The place of business information must include at least the city and state or other acceptable locale designation. For products that are pre-labeled with origin information, the label itself is sufficient evidence on which the retailer may rely to establish the product’s origin at the point of sale. In this case, retailers must still maintain a record identifyin
