Did you know that meat that is imported from a different country CAN be labeled as a “Product of USA”?
It is true, unfortunately, as misleading as that is. Meat that is processed or repackaged in the U.S. can be labeled as a “Product of USA” — even if the animal was born, raised, and slaughtered in another country. It applies to beef and pork.
Well how can that be?
The short story is there are loopholes in the regulations regarding the “processing location” vs the “country of origin” and since meat is cheaper outside the country, some producers are wanting the US label because they know it is more desirable. No surprises there.
Once I researched this information and picked my jaw up off the ground, I decided to email the USDA to find out from the source if this is true. Here is what they said (word for word):
Currently the claims “Made in the USA” or “Product of the USA” require that the product was last processed in the U.S. without regard to the source of the meat or poultry used or the domestic origin of the ingredients used in the product. However after 1/1/2026 the phrases “Made in the USA” and “Product of the USA” will need to meet the criteria in 9 CFR 412.3(a) for single-ingredient products or 9 CFR 412.3(b) for multi-ingredient products:
- all FSIS-regulated products in the product are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S. and
- all other ingredients, other than spices and flavorings, are of U.S. origin; and
- all of the preparation and processing steps for the product have occurred in the U.S.
I was appreciative that they responded to my email and provided the truth that there is a loophole, but that they are addressing it with solution in the works.
So there is good news!
After January 1, 2026, the meat producers and marketers will no longer be able to label meat as “Product of USA” if meat is not truly born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the USA. I can hear our local US farmers cheering. We will be moving towards more “say what you mean, mean what you say” type of regulation.
They realize the American people are expecting more transparency from big companies and (huh um.. the government) so these rules are changing to close the loopholes and make the regulations more strict. I can breath a little easier knowing there are improvements on the horizon in our food supply and regulatory system. Let’s keep pushing for improvements so companies provide more transparency, growing in knowledge, leading to empowering choices for the American people regarding their food choices!