The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) filed comments on August 17, 2018, supporting a petition that asks USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to limit “Product of the USA” and similar beef labels, Food Safety News reported on August 21.
The petition
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and the American Grassfed Association (AGA) filed the petition to stop imported beef from being labeled “Product of U.S.A.” They asked that labels such as “Made in the USA,” “Product of the USA” or “USA beef” be used only for beef from cattle born, raised and harvested in the USA.
The petition would change the FSIS labeling policy book, which gives voluntary guidance on labels that are “truthful and not misleading.” Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef had been repealed by Congress after the World Trade Organization authorized Canada and Mexico to impose retaliatory tariffs.
Comments so far
- Most of the nearly 1,900 comments favored the standard.
- USCA was the first big national beef producer group to endorse it. It said consumers support origin labeling out of food safety concerns and a desire to support USA producers.
- Supporters included the National Farmers Union, Farm Aid, the United Food and Commercial Workers and Natural Grocers.
- The comment deadline was extended to September 17, 2018.
USCA said there were “no parameters dictating which beef products may be permissibly labeled as ‘Made in the U.S.A.’” FSIS later moved toward rulemaking on the issue in 2020.
FAQ
Who filed the petition?
The Organization for Competitive Markets and the American Grassfed Association.
What does the petition ask?
That USA-origin beef labels be used only for beef from cattle born, raised and harvested in the USA.
When did comments close?
The deadline was extended to September 17, 2018.
Source & credit
Source: Dan Flynn, Food Safety News: “Consumer food safety concerns cited as reason for Made in USA beef labeling”, August 21, 2018.