January 13th, 2026

USDA’s New ‘Product of USA’ Rule Demands careful Recordkeeping

Law.com quoted Holly A. Melton in an article on the USDA’s new rule restricting “Product of USA” claims for beef, poultry, and egg products, which took effect on January 1.The rule significantly tightens the standards for when products may carry U.S.-origin labels, allowing companies to use claims such as “Product of USA” or “Made in USA” only when animals are born, raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely in the United States. Previously, products that underwent final processing in the U.S. could make these claims. The rule also applies to multi‑ingredient products, excluding spices and flavorings. Although these claims remain voluntary, substantial documentation is crucial. “If you don’t have a very robust substantiation file that shows the animal was born here, was raised here, was slaughtered here, was processed here, then I would not make the claim,” Melton advises. Read more on the USDA's new ruling here. (Behind paywall)