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