Q: Can you explain the Country of Origin Labeling?

A: On March 16, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) became a final rule.

You may have already seen labels on foods indicating the country of origin.

Commodities that must be labeled under this rule include:

• Muscle cuts of beef, pork, lamb, goat and chicken.

• Ground beef, pork, lamb, goat and chicken.

• Wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish.

• Perishable agricultural commodities (PAC), which include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

• Peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts.

• Ginseng.

Labeling options include the use of placards, stickers, twist ties, signs, bands and pin tags. It must be legible and obvious to the buyer.

For muscle cuts of meats, there are four labeling scenarios. They include:

1. Product of the U.S. — meat is from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S., or from animals present in the U.S. on or before July 15, 2008.

2. Product of the U.S., Country X — meat from animals born in Country X then raised and slaughtered in the U.S.

3. Product of Country X, U.S. — meat from animals imported into the U.S. for immediate slaughter.

4. Product of Country X — foreign meat imported into the U.S. All ground meat products will list all countries that may be in that package. For PAC, nuts and ginseng, the label will state where the product was grown and harvested. This may include state, region and locality.

Fish and shellfish also have four labeling scenarios. They include:

1. Product of the U.S. — farm-raised fish and shellfish hatched, raised, harvested and processed in the U.S. Wild fish and shellfish are harvested from U.S. waters.

2. Product of Country X — imported fish and shellfish not processed in the U.S.

3. Product of Country X, Processed in the U.S. — imported product and processed in the U.S.

4. Fish and shellfish commodities must state if wild or farm-raised.

Food service establishments and processed foods are excluded from COOL requirements. For more information, see this USDA consumer brochure at http://tinyurl.com/bpxtvz .

Q: Do you know of any Web sites that focus on quick and easy recipes?

A: There are many food and nutrition sites out there on the Web that have a section that focuses on quick and easy meals and recipes. A new recipe web site that you may want to check out is www.funnyspoon.com. The site is based on shortcuts. The use of soups, precooked meats, frozen vegetables and more aids speed up prep time. You can even share quick-to-fix recipes you’ve created.

Another Web site that offers lots of tips is called “Cook It Quick!” written by Alice Henneman, a dietitian and educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lancaster County. Go to: http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq.shtml.

The USDA also shares quick and easy recipes at www.fns.usda.gov. Search “Smart Start Recipes.”

Three more commercial sites that you may want to bookmark are: www.cookinglight.com, www.eatingwell.com and www.finecooking.com.

Q: What nutrients help to protect my eyes?

A: Many studies have shown that a good nutritious diet can help protect your eyes. The six nutrients (found in the following foods) to add to your diet include:

• Lutein and zeaxanthin — colorful fruits and vegetables.

• Essential fatty acids — fatty fish such as tuna, salmon and herring. Also whole grain foods, chicken and eggs.

• Vitamin C — fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.

• Vitamin E — safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes and sunflower seeds.

• Zinc — lean red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans and whole grains.

— Susan Krumm is an Extension agent in family and consumer sciences with K-State Research and Extension-Douglas County, 2110 Harper St. She can be reached at 843-7058.