VA Checks Labels: Food for Vets Must Meet Specs
Published Date: 11/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The VA is renewing its approval to collect info from companies selling products or services to make sure they meet certain technical standards, like labels on food items. This affects businesses working with the VA, who’ll keep providing proof that their goods meet these rules. Comments on this update are open until December 22, 2025, with no new costs or changes planned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Must Prove Items Meet Industry Standards
If you sell goods or services to the VA under VAAR clause 852.211-72 (OMB Control No. 2900-0586), you must furnish evidence that items meet the specified technical industry standards. Evidence is normally a tag or seal (for example, a label on beef product meeting USDA Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications); firms whose products have not previously been tested must provide a laboratory certificate showing conformity.
Time Burden: 30 Minutes Per Contract
The VA estimates the paperwork burden at 559 hours annually for this collection, with an estimated average burden of 30 minutes per respondent and a frequency of one response per contract. The VA estimates 1,118 respondents under this OMB approval (No. 2900-0586).
OMB Approval Renewed Without Change
The VA is seeking an extension of OMB approval No. 2900-0586 for the information collection under VAAR clause 852.211-72 with 'extension without change' of a currently approved collection. Comments on this submission are accepted through December 22, 2025.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-21242 — Extending Deadline for Debtor To Request a Waiver
The VA is giving veterans more time—up to one year instead of 180 days—to ask for a waiver on debts related to benefits. This change, effective January 26, 2026, helps reduce stress by giving veterans extra breathing room to handle their debt issues. It doesn’t cost veterans extra money but makes the process friendlier and fairer.
2025-18827 — Extension of Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants
The VA is giving family caregivers of veterans more time to stay in their special support program by extending the deadline from 2025 to 2028. This means caregivers and veterans who joined the program earlier (the legacy group) can keep getting help for three more years. No changes to money or benefits, just extra time to enjoy the support they deserve!
2025-14687 — Reproductive Health Services
The VA is planning to stop covering abortions and abortion counseling again, reversing a 2022 change. This affects veterans and their families who use VA and CHAMPVA health benefits. The change aims to focus VA services on what they consider essential care, with no new costs or timing details shared yet.
2026-11752 — Grants for the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot; Rescission
The VA is officially ending the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot grant program because its legal permission has expired. This means no new grants will be given, and the rules about this program are being removed to keep things clear and simple. The change takes effect on July 13, 2026, so rural veterans and community groups should note the program is officially closed.
2026-11766 — Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating its records system that helps investigate crimes involving veterans. These changes improve how information is stored, accessed, and kept safe. If you want to share your thoughts, you have 30 days from June 11, 2026, to comment before the new rules take effect.
2026-11494 — Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for Authority To Close Loans on an Automatic Basis Nonsupervised Lenders
The VA is updating how nonsupervised lenders apply to automatically close loans and recognize agents, moving the process online. This change affects lenders who want quicker loan approvals and yearly recertifications, with more people expected to apply. Comments on this update are open until July 9, 2026, and the paperwork burden will nearly double due to more applicants.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20557 — Consumer Advisory Board Meeting
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Advisory Board is meeting virtually on December 10, 2025, to talk about fair lending and debanking issues that affect everyday people. This meeting helps the Bureau understand new trends and challenges in consumer finance, so they can protect your money better. Anyone interested can join, share ideas, and learn about upcoming changes that might impact how you borrow or bank.
Next: 2025-20559 — Office of Human Resources Management; Executive Resources (CRB), SES Performance Review Board (PRB) Members
The General Services Administration (GSA) just named new members to their Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board. This team helps make sure top executives are judged fairly and consistently on their work. These changes take effect in November 2025 and affect senior leaders’ performance reviews and awards.