Two California Beef Companies Embrace Product of USA Label
A California beef company is among eight businesses newly adopting USDA's voluntary Product of USA label.
According to an October 30th USDA announcement, Eel River Organic Beef is joining the initiative. California's Harris Ranch is also among the companies participating.
So what does that label actually mean?
For beef to carry the Product of USA claim, the animal must have been born, raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely in the United States.
That's a change from previous labeling standards, which allowed some imported meat to carry a Product of USA claim if it was processed domestically.
The stricter rules were finalized in 2024 and took effect in January of this year.
Participation remains voluntary. Companies aren't required to use the label, but those that do must maintain records supporting their claims.
For California cattle producers, the distinction could help differentiate domestically raised beef in the marketplace.
USDA is encouraging more processors to participate, although it's still unclear how much additional value the label might bring producers.
