U.S. finalizes higher standard for ‘Product of USA’ meat label

U.S. president Joe Biden’s administration has finalized a rule requiring meat, poultry and eggs labelled as a U.S. product to come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the country.

The rule, proposed last March, is a victory for U.S. ranchers who argued for years that use of the voluntary label by companies who raised animals abroad and only slaughtered or processed them in the United States was misleading and disadvantaged domestic producers.

“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,” said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

Vilsack announced the final rule March 11 to cheers at the annual meeting of the National Farmers Union in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The abuse of the ‘Product of U.S.A.’ label stripped America’s cattle producers of a vital opportunity to market their USA beef while denying consumers the opportunity to support them,” said Joe Maxwell, co-founder of the farm group Farm Action.

Producers using “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” labels will need to comply with the rule by Jan. 1, 2026.

The Canadian Cattle Association said it is disappointed with the move, saying the integration of the North American live cattle and beef supply chain is unlike anywhere else in the world.

“It is crucial to address any issues that threaten or diminish cattle and beef trade between Canada and the U.S.,” said CCA president Nathan Phinney.

“We are very concerned that the rule will lead to discrimination against live cattle imports and undermine the beneficial integration of the North American supply chain.”

Tags: Meat, Poultry, U.S., eggs, live cattle, animals, U.S. product, Product of USA, rule, Made in the USA