U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the final rule for meat, poultry, and egg products that carry a “Product of the USA” label at the National Farmers Union’s annual convention in Phoenix on Monday.
As previously proposed, the label will be voluntary, but any company that uses it will have to maintain documentation to prove that product was derived from animals “born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.”
“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,” said Vilsack. “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.”
The Canadian government and livestock industry organizations have raised concerns about the labeling rule disrupting the integrated North American livestock market. The Canadian Cattle Association has said it will be closely watching for any signs of discrimination against Canadian cattle, as Canada could potentially refer to the earlier World Trade Organization ruling on U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL).
The USDA says companies using the label claim will need to comply with the new regulatory requirements by January 1, 2026.
Related:
Canadian delegation raises concerns about possible consequences of “Product of USA” label
U.S. proposes voluntary “Product of USA” label that would shut out Canadian-born cattle and pigs
