USDA to Strengthen Claims on Meat, Poultry Labels

By Julie Tomascik

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released new guidelines aimed at strengthening documentation that supports animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat and poultry product labels.

“USDA continues to deliver on its commitment to fairness and choice for both farmers and consumers, and that means supporting transparency and high-quality standards,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “These updates will help to level the playing field for businesses who are truthfully using these claims and ensure people can trust the labels when they purchase meat and poultry products.”

The agency encourages the use of third-party certification and greater documentation to substantiate the animal-raising or environment-related claims, such as “grass-fed,” “climate-friendly,” “free-range” and “raised with regenerative agriculture practices.”

USDA is strengthening its guidance on these labels in response to criticism that companies were making claims without backing them up.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), in collaboration with the agency’s Agricultural Research Service, conducted a study last year to further investigate the accuracy of no-antibiotics claims.

“The action FSIS is taking through the publishing of this guidance today addresses these concerning findings and makes clear that FSIS will take enforcement action against any establishments found to be making false or misleading negative antibiotic claims,” the agency said.

The guideline also recommends companies using “negative” antibiotic claims on labeling implement routine sampling and testing programs to detect antibiotic use in animals prior to slaughter or obtain third-party certification that includes testing. Negative antibiotic claims include “raised without antibiotics” or “no antibiotics ever.”