The US Department of Agriculture has introduced a new rule to ensure that meat and poultry products bearing the “Product of USA” label are genuinely produced in the United States. The rule, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, requires that animals must be raised, slaughtered, and processed within the US to qualify for the label. This move aims to increase transparency and competition in the meat sector, as well as align packaging labels with consumer expectations.

Consumers are willing to pay a premium for products with the “Product of USA” label, but the current labeling system has been criticized for being misleading. The new rule will require meat companies to maintain documentation to support their labeling claims, ensuring that consumers can trust the authenticity of the label.

The rule applies to multi-ingredient meat products as well, provided that all ingredients, except for spices and flavorings, are of domestic origin. However, this has raised concerns from Canada, which fears that the rule could disrupt North American meat and livestock supply chains, particularly for farms in border states. Canada has expressed disappointment that the rule does not take into account its unique trading relationship with the US and has vowed to raise the issue at a trilateral trade meeting with the US and Mexico later this month.

The Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, emphasized that the new rule will ensure that consumers can trust the “Product of USA” label, as every step involved in the production process will be done in the US. The rule is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to increase competition in the meat sector and promote transparency in labeling.