USDA finalizes voluntary 'Product of USA' labeling rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Tom Vilsack, has announced the finalization of a rule aimed at aligning the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumers' understanding of its meaning. This final rule aims to ensure that consumers can trust the authenticity of the label when they see ‘Product of USA’, knowing that every step, from birth to processing, was carried out in America.
The USDA’s final “Product of USA” rule permits the voluntary use of the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim exclusively on meat, poultry, and egg products that originate from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed within the United States. The rule seeks to eliminate misleading U.S. origin labeling in the market, thereby ensuring that consumers receive truthful information about the origins of their food.
Under this final rule, the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim will remain voluntary. Additionally, it will retain eligibility for generic label approval, meaning that it does not require pre-approval from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) before use on regulated products. However, establishments utilizing the claim must maintain documentation to support its accuracy on file.
