Out in the Cold About COOL: An Analysis of U.S. Consumers' Awareness of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labels for Beef

Authors

  • Katie L. Allen American Angus Foundation
  • Courtney Meyers Texas Tech University
  • Todd Brashears Texas Tech University
  • Scott Burris Texas Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2011.014.006

Keywords:

Agricultural Marketing, Beef, Consumer Behavior, Country-Of-Origin Labeling, Diffusion, Food Policy, Labeling

Abstract

Mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) is a policy that requires a label noting what country or countries from which many fresh food products derive. While some have favored the policy as a marketing tool, others have criticized it as confusing, expensive, and difficult to mandate. An online survey of U.S. beef consumers who were their households' primary grocery buyers (N=396) was conducted to examine their knowledge and awareness of COOL and the information sources they use to make food purchases. Only 10 respondents (2.5%) knew COOL stood for country-of-origin labeling, and 287 respondents (72.5%) indicated they had never heard of COOL. Despite an apparent lack of knowledge and awareness, a majority of the participants still supported the idea of mandatory COOL and preferred to have COOL for beef. The results indicated that more consumer education is needed about COOL. Further research is necessary to examine this policy as it diffuses among consumers.

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Author Biographies

Katie L. Allen, American Angus Foundation

Katie L. Allen, Marketing and Public Relations Assistant, American Angus Foundation, 3201 Frederick Avenue, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64506 USA; +1-816-383-5100.

Courtney Meyers, Texas Tech University

Courtney Meyers, Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University, Box 42131, Lubbock, Texas 79409 USA; +1-806-742-2816.

Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University

Todd Brashears, Associate Professor, Texas Tech University, Box 42131, Lubbock, Texas 79409 USA; +1-806-742-2816.

Scott Burris, Texas Tech University

Scott Burris, Associate Professor, Texas Tech University, Box 42131, Lubbock, Texas 79409 USA; +1-806-742-2816.

Published

2011-07-10

How to Cite

Allen, K. L., Meyers, C., Brashears, T., & Burris, S. (2011). Out in the Cold About COOL: An Analysis of U.S. Consumers’ Awareness of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labels for Beef. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(4), 205–230. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2011.014.006