…a rule that will require that ‘Product of USA’ food labels only be used on products derived from animals that were born, raised and slaughtered within the US.
By ALEXA LARDIERI, US DEPUTY HEALTH EDITOR
In just two days, Americans may start noticing a change to the labels on their meat and egg products as a new rule takes effect.
In March 2024, Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary at the time, announced the finalization of a rule that will require that ‘Product of USA’ food labels only be used on products derived from animals that were born, raised and slaughtered within the US.
The new rule is set to take effect January 1, 2026 and will apply to meat, poultry and egg products.
Currently, regulations allow products derived from animals born, raised and slaughtered outside of the US to be labeled ‘Product of USA’ as long as they are at least packaged in America.
Vilsack said at the time: ‘Today’s announcement is a vital step toward consumer protection and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to bolster trust and fairness in the marketplace where smaller processors can compete.
‘This final rule will ensure that when consumers see “Product of USA” they can trust the authenticity of that label and know that every step involved, from birth to processing, was done here in America.’
Advocates for the new rule claim the current loose regulations allow meat packers to sell subpar meat to people who think they are buying products from the US, which has specific laws and regulations surrounding animals raised for food.
The USDA said the new rule will ‘prohibit misleading US origin labeling in the market, and help ensure that the information that consumers receive about where their food comes from is truthful.’
Angus beef steaks and top sirloin fillets are displayed for sale in the meat area of a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store in California in 2024
The ‘Product of USA’ is a voluntary label companies and manufacturers are allowed to put on their products. It is not a requirement.
Advocates for the new rule also claim the loose regulations allow America’s largest beef packers to benefit from misusing ‘Product of USA’ labels, which hurts smaller form operations.
Daily Yonder reported large companies produce cheaper products on a mass scale by outsourcing to countries with fewer health and safety regulations for workers and animals.
The companies then may label their products as made in the US because they were packaged domestically.
Joe Maxwell, a long-time farmer and co-founder of the advocacy group Farm Action, said: ‘The abuse of the “Product of USA” label stripped America’s cattle producers of a vital opportunity to market their USA beef while denying consumers the opportunity to support them.’
He called the new rule ‘a huge win for America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers.’
Under the new rule in place next month, if any part of the meat raising and processing takes place outside of the US, the label cannot be used.
Additionally, if a product uses a state-specific label, all raising and producing of the meat must be done in that state or else a disclaimer must be added.