JACKSON, Wyo. — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a proposed rule change for the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label used on meat, poultry and egg products.
The proposed rule would allow the labels to be used only on products derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S.
The current rule allows the voluntary label to be used on meat, poultry and egg products processed in the U.S.; however, the animals can be born, raised and slaughtered in another country.
Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis applauded the move. In a press release issued by her office this afternoon, Lummis said, “I am thrilled to see Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announce his support for Wyoming farmers and ranchers and put forth new requirements for the ‘Product of the US’ label. There is still a need for a legislative fix, and I will keep pushing for one here in the U.S. Senate.”
Lummis recently reintroduced the American Beef Labeling Act, which would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling.
According to a study conducted by the USDA in July 2021, “16% of eligible consumers identified the current definition for the “Product of USA” claim, 63% provided an incorrect response with most thinking the claim means that all production steps take place in the United States and 21% said they did not know.”
Public comment is being accepted for 60 days on the proposed rule change.
“American consumers expect that when they buy a meat product at the grocery store, the claims they see on the label mean what they say,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These proposed changes are intended to provide consumers with accurate information to make informed purchasing decisions. Our action today affirms USDA’s commitment to ensuring accurate and truthful product labeling.”
According to the 2022 USDA state agriculture overview, there are 11,900 farms in Wyoming operating on 28.5 million acres in total. Cattle and calves are the largest livestock commodity raised in the state.
