USDA offers new regulations for the “Product of USA” label.
On March 6, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a new regulation regarding claims made on “Product of USA” labels. The rule would prohibit meat, poultry, and egg products from bearing the labels “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” unless the animals were born, grown, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “American consumers expect that the claims they see on the label mean what they say when they buy a meat product at the grocery store.” “The goal of these suggested adjustments is to give customers accurate information so they may make wise purchasing decisions. USDA’s commitment to ensuring truthful and accurate food labeling is reaffirmed by our action today.
Under the new rule, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service would not need to preapprove the “Product of USA” label claim; nevertheless, in order for the agency to verify the claim, it would need to have supporting paperwork on file. Also, the label would continue to be optional.
The option for additional voluntary US origin claims on meat, poultry, and egg products is an additional feature of the proposed rule. Every claim would have to include information on the stages involved in processing and preparation that were done in the US.
The announcement made today, according to South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds, “is a victory for American consumers and producers.” “After this proposed rule is implemented, foreign items may no longer be sold to American customers under the false pretense of being labeled as “Product of USA.” The “Product of USA” branding will no longer be a deceptive marketing tool used by lower-quality international meat to disadvantage American cattle ranchers. I commend Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for taking the required steps to correct this label, and I view the USDA’s decision as a significant step in the right direction.
It is the result of years of work advocating for increased regulatory supervision on US origin claims that Mr. Rounds has endorsed the new USDA rule. Since 2019, Mr. Rounds has supported a bill that would restrict claims made on the “Product of USA” label, spoke with Mr. Vilsack, and sponsored legislation.
A number of interested parties have long argued for greater clarification regarding “Product of USA” claims. The US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) asked the USDA to examine and improve the existing rule in 2019.
“The USCA, through its 2019 rulemaking petition to FSIS, denounced the practice of imposing ‘Made in the USA’ and ‘Product of the USA’ labeling claims on beef products, which the food safety agency acknowledged may have originated from other nations,” stated USCA President Justin Tupper. “After the mandatory country-of-origin labeling was repealed in 2015, USCA has been working to clarify what these voluntary origin claims mean, so we are happy to see that the proposed rule finally closes this loophole.” It should be made from animals that have only ever seen American soil if it is labeled “Made in the USA.”
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Fund for Ranchers and Cattlemen Action The US Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) voiced outrage over the length of time it has taken to tighten laws pertaining to product labeling that is made in the US.
“It is unfortunate for consumers and cattle producers that it has taken eight years to stop the mislabeling of foreign beef, especially with American cattle herds at a 60-year low,” stated Brett Kenzy, president of R-CALF USA. “Public opinion has united to compel the USDA to cease its deception; now, Congress must impose the truth by passing The American Beef Labeling Act.”