NEWS ROUNDUP 1994-07-11 (3)

Customs Ruling Buys the Farm

of International Trade has struck down a U.S. Customs Service ruling that required country-of-origin markings on frozen produce.

The court's June 9 decision, which followed a hearing in April, culminates an industry lawsuit filed by the American Frozen Food Institute of McLean, Va.; Green Giant of Minneapolis, and J.R. Simplot of Boise, Idaho, against Customs and the Department of the Treasury.

The plaintiffs had challenged a Dec. 29 ruling in which Customs required that frozen produce containing imported product display the country of origin on the front or principal display panel of packaging. The rule was to take effect May 8, but following the filing of the lawsuit, Customs published a notice extending the implementation date to Jan. 1, 1995.

In declaring the ruling to be null and void, Judge Jane Restani said Customs violated the Administrative Procedure Act which, among other things, requires advance notice of such regulations.

"We are delighted with the court's decision," said Steven C. Anderson, AFFI president. "Clearly, the country of origin marking requirements put forth by Customs would have cost the industry millions of dollars in new label design and printing. This would have followed immediately upon the incredible undertaking of new label design and printing just completed by the industry to comply with the nutrition labeling regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration."

Send-Off for Publix Executive

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Central Florida Frozen Food Association here is holding a retirement dinner July 29 for Monte Thornton, frozen-food category manager for Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, Fla.

Thornton has been with Publix for more than 43 years, in stores for the first 24 and in the corporate office for the past 19 years.

The dinner, to be held at the Tampa Convention Center, will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. After-dinner dancing and entertainment will continue to 11 p.m.

Tickets are $65 each. For more information call the CFFFA at (813) 872-5541.