USDA Tweaks Meat Label Rules to Avoid Grocery Confusion
Published Date: 12/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) updated its guide to help food businesses use U.S.-origin labels correctly on meat, poultry, and egg products. These updates respond to feedback and make it easier to follow new labeling rules that started in 2024. If you sell these products, check the updated guide soon to avoid mistakes and keep your labels on point!
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
“Raised” Means Birth-to-Slaughter
FSIS clarified that the term “raised” means an animal was raised from birth to slaughter for purposes of voluntary U.S.-origin claims. If an animal was raised in the U.S. for less than its entire life, the label must include a truthful description of how long it was raised in the U.S. (for example, “raised for at least 30 days in the USA”).
Sub-Ingredients Need Not Be U.S.-Origin
FSIS clarified that, for multi-ingredient products using the voluntary claims “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA,” the requirement that “all other ingredients other than spices and flavorings” be of domestic origin does not include sub-ingredients of an ingredient (for example, a soy sauce ingredient must be domestic but its soybeans or wheat sub-ingredients need not be).
Edible Casings Processed Abroad Still Eligible
FSIS clarified that multi-ingredient products made with edible natural casings that were produced from U.S.-origin animals but processed (for example, cleaned) outside the United States may still bear “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA,” if all other rule requirements are met under 9 CFR 412.3(b).
State Logos and Geographic Images Need Origin Match
FSIS clarified that a State endorsement logo that includes “Product of (U.S. State)” or a State flag image can only be used without a qualifying statement if the product meets the State-origin requirements (animal born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in that State). If the product does not meet those requirements, the logo must be accompanied by a qualifying description of the preparation/processing steps (for example, “beef harvested and packaged in (U.S. State)”). Logos without a state claim or flag may be used if the establishment keeps supporting documentation.
Recordkeeping Guidance Is Flexible
FSIS reiterated that the final rule contains flexible recordkeeping requirements and provided additional examples of documentation establishments may maintain to support voluntary U.S.-origin claims (see 9 CFR 412.3(f)). Establishments may choose which types of documentation to keep based on the claim and product.
“Harvested” May Mean “Slaughtered”
FSIS clarified that the word “harvested” may be used to mean “slaughtered” when describing preparation and processing steps for voluntary U.S.-origin claims. This gives establishments an accepted alternative term to use on labels.
Multi-Country & North America Claims Allowed
FSIS clarified that “Product of North America” is allowed if truthful and not misleading, and voluntary multi-country origin claims that include the United States (e.g., “Product of USA and Canada”) are allowed if the animal was born/raised/slaughtered/processed in one of the listed countries and the claim includes qualifying language describing U.S. preparation or processing steps (for example, “Product of USA and Canada, Packaged in the USA”).
“Produced/Processed in USA” Not Approved Alone
FSIS clarified that broad claims like “Produced in the United States,” “Processed in the United States,” or “Manufactured in the United States” are not approved as standalone voluntary U.S.-origin claims because they do not tell consumers which preparation or processing steps occurred in the U.S. More specific descriptions (for example, “Sliced and Packaged in the USA”) are acceptable.
Exports Not Covered; Sticker Fixes Allowed
FSIS stated the voluntary U.S.-origin labeling requirements apply to products sold in the domestic market and do not apply to products intended for export; exporters must follow importing-country rules shown in the FSIS Export Library. FSIS also noted manufacturers may use pressure-sensitive stickers to correct inaccurate labeling on products for domestic sale or export.
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