Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product Labeling

Food labels provide information that consumers can use to make educated choices about the products they purchase. The original intent of food labeling has broadened from ensuring that consumers were not defrauded to giving consumers enough information to help them choose foods that may provide a more balanced diet, avoid certain substances or ingredients, or align with their beliefs or values. Three federal agencies share regulation of food labeling: the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for meat, poultry, and egg products; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all other food products; and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for oversight of food advertising. USDA’s authority over meat, poultry, and egg product labeling requirements includes both mandatory and voluntary label provisions. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) administer these provisions. FSIS is required to review all labels placed on meat, poultry, and egg products intended for interstate commerce to ensure that the information provided on the label is truthful and not misleading to consumers. AMS offers voluntary, user-funded verification services to producers and suppliers of agricultural goods that permit the placement of certain quality grade shields, value-added logos, or special statements and claims on the label. Mandatory information for meat, poultry, or egg product labels includes information such as the product type, its inspection status, and the name of the manufacturer. A meat, poultry, or egg product label may also be required to display the net weight of the product, nutrition facts, or safe-handling instructions. This information is intended to assure consumers of the product’s safety and contents. Voluntary statements or claims can convey certain product qualities or traits to consumers. These statements may include phrases like “grass fed,” “pasture raised,” or “no antibiotics ever” to describe production practices, animal-raising standards, or distinct nutritional values. Voluntary label claims also may include information on the origin of the product, such as “Product of U.S.A.” Other voluntary label claims, such as “Certified Angus Beef,” rely on USDA certification of meat and poultry carcasses to ensure they meet the quality standards and characteristics that are advertised to consumers. As consumers increasingly desire more information on food products, the label on a meat, poultry, or egg product gains greater importance. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would make certain voluntary statements or claims mandatory. Regarding beef, for example, in the 118th Congress, the American Beef Labeling Act of 2023 (S. 52) and the Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act (H.R. 5215) would have directed the U.S. Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to determine a means of reinstating mandatory country-of-origin labeling that complies with all applicable rules of the World Trade Organization. Accurate labeling can also help reduce food waste and loss. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would standardize date labeling on consumable products to reduce ambiguity regarding product expiration dates. A series of food-date labeling bills over the years (e.g., S. 1484 and H.R. 3159, 118th Congress) would have required, when a date is voluntarily printed on a food label, the use of the phrase “Best if Used By” to specify the quality date on a food item and “Use By” when identifying the discard date on a food label. Other policy considerations of potential interest to Congress include accurate labeling of cell-cultured food products, revising the current nutrition facts panel, or substantiating animal-raising claims.