USDA would bar “Product of U.S.A.” labels on beef

USDA would issue rules barring the “Product of U.S.A.” label on covered beef products. The rules would cover beef and beef food products governed by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the federal meat inspection law. The bill would need to become law before USDA must issue these rules. USDA would have to issue the rules no later than 180 days after enactment.

USDA would establish three labels that businesses could choose to use. The labels would apply to the same covered beef products. “Processed in U.S.A.” would require substantial transformation—meaning major processing—at a U.S. facility inspected under federal meat inspection law. “Raised and Processed in U.S.A.” would also require at least 100 days of raising in the United States before processing. “Born, Raised, and Processed in U.S.A.” would require U.S. birth, raising, and processing at such a facility. USDA would have to establish these labels within 180 days after the bill becomes law.