- September 14, 2021
Sen. Marshall Urges USDA to Adopt More Descriptive Product of USA Labeling
(Washington, D.C., September 14, 2021) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, encouraging him to eliminate the “Product of the USA” meat label and instead create multiple new voluntary labels to address consumer confusion and help ranchers distinguish their products in the meat case. In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the initiation of a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of USA” label to help guide an upcoming rulemaking on the subject.
“To me, it is clear that the current ‘Product of the USA’ label for beef does not convey accurate information to consumers and fails to help American ranchers distinguish their product in the meat case… I believe multiple new voluntary labels such as ‘Processed in the USA,’ ‘Raised and Processed in the USA,’ and ‘Born, Raised, and Processed in the USA’ should be developed. Not only are descriptive labels more accurate but they will help U.S. ranchers differentiate the wholesome, safe, and nutritious beef they raise. It is preeminently important that meat labels are clear and accurate in a way that leaves little question in a consumer’s mind.”
The letter can be read in its entirety HERE.
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