JORDAN ADOPTS WTO LABELING FOR PREPACKAGED FOODS

UNCLAS AMMAN 010193 SIPDIS CAIRO FOR USDA - A. CHAUDHRY STATE FOR NEA/LEA STATE ALSO FOR EB STATE PASS TO USTR - C. NOVELLI AND E. SAUMS USDA FOR M. MAEDOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD PREL JO SUBJECT: JORDAN ADOPTS WTO LABELING FOR PREPACKAGED FOODS REF: LAWLESS-SAUMS EMAIL ON JORDANIAN APPROVED JC NOTES (09/16/04) ¶1. The Jordan Institute of Standards and Metrology (JISM) December 26 approved a proposal to label pre-packaged foods with "Best Before" dating, in line with World Trade Organization standards. As recorded in the Official Minutes of the June 8 U.S. Jordan Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee (JC) meeting (REF),then trade minister Halaiqa had promised USDA representatives to resolve standards on labeling for prepackaged foods by the end of the year. The decision was taken by the JISM Board of Directors, although a Jordanian consumer protection organization had voiced reservations about the new rule, new JISM Director Yassin Khayyat told Acting ECON/C during a routine call to follow up on the JC. ¶2. Embassy will follow up on the government's implementation of food labeling in the coming weeks and months. HALE