Tastes Like Freedom

The Product of USA label applies to meat, poultry and processed egg products. For single-ingredient products, the animal must be born, raised, harvested, and processed entirely within the United States. For multi-ingredient products, every component except spices and flavorings must be sourced from the United States, and all preparation and processing steps must take place within the U.S.

No, this is not a mandate but a voluntary option for producers who would like to participate. U.S.-origin claims are generically approved by FSIS and may be used in commerce without prior submission to the USDA for approval. However, establishments must maintain written documentation to substantiate their claims, such as descriptions of controls for animal origin and processing steps, traceability and segregation records, and signed statements affirming the claims are truthful.

Yes. Under the Final Rule, factual U.S.-origin claims other than "Product of USA" and "Made in the USA" may designate the U.S.-origin component of a product's preparation and processing. These claims must include a description of the specific preparation and processing steps that occurred in the United States. For example, generalized claims like "Processed in the United States" are too broad, but "Sliced and Packaged in Kentucky" provides meaningful consumer information. The term "harvested" may be used to mean "slaughtered" for these purposes.

Yes, displays of the U.S. flag, or a U.S. State or Territory flag, are permitted on labels if all requirements are met for the voluntary claims "Product of USA (or State or Territory)" or "Made in the USA (or State or Territory)." If the product does not meet these requirements, the flag may only be used if accompanied by a description of the preparation and processing steps that occurred in the United States, or in the specific State, Territory, or locality.

The Final Rule permits state- or territory-specific origin claims as long as the product meets the same criteria as a "Product of the USA" claim, with the state or territory substituting the United States. For example, a single-ingredient beef label bearing "Product of Idaho" can be used provided the product is derived from an animal born, raised, and slaughtered, and the meat then processed, in Idaho. However, beef slaughtered in Mexico but cooked and sliced in Kentucky could not be labeled "Product of USA" but could bear a "Beef Cooked and Sliced in Kentucky" claim.

Establishments using U.S.-origin claims must maintain written documentation such as: descriptions of controls for animal origin and processing steps, traceability and segregation records showing the product's journey from birth through processing, and signed statements affirming that the claims are truthful and accurate. This documentation must be available for review upon request.

No, feel free to use this label or your own as long as the meat, poultry or processed egg product meets the requirements of the standard.