Key facts
- The Trump administration is reviewing mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is leading the 90-day review.
- The review will assess existing authorities and market conditions.
- The initiative aims to support U.S. ranchers and increase market access.
- Several companies have begun using a voluntary "Product of USA" label on meat and poultry.
- The Meat Institute expressed caution, arguing existing pathways for ranchers are sufficient and warning against uninspected meat sales.
The Trump administration is initiating a review that could lead to mandatory "Product of USA" labeling for beef products sold in the United States. President Trump directed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to assess existing legal and regulatory authorities within 90 days to determine the feasibility of such a policy. This move is intended to support U.S. ranchers, who have faced challenges including increased imports and a historically low national cattle herd. The review, conducted in consultation with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will also include an economic analysis of the potential impact.
Separately, the administration has expanded the "Product of USA" voluntary labeling program, allowing more companies to certify that their meat and poultry products originate from animals born, raised, harvested, and processed entirely within the United States. Secretary Rollins stated that this initiative aims to provide consumers with confidence and strengthen domestic food production. Companies like Harris Ranch, One World Beef, and Fort Worth Meat Packers are among those adopting the label.
This push for clearer origin labeling comes as the national cattle herd is at a 75-year low. The administration also aims to expand market access for ranchers, enabling them to process and sell their own meat directly to consumers, thereby reducing reliance on large processors. This includes measures to streamline compliance and provide loan programs for smaller processors.
However, the Meat Institute, a trade body, responded cautiously. They argued that ranchers already have multiple avenues for processing and marketing their livestock and expressed concern that allowing uninspected meat sales could harm the U.S.'s reputation for food safety. The institute also opposes mandatory country-of-origin labeling.