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Vilsack says USDA plans ‘comprehensive review’ of meat labeling

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will launch a “comprehensive review” of the “Product of the USA” label for meat, poultry and processed eggs. “We want to avoid the possibility and the risk that consumers are confused about precisely what that label means,” Vilsack says. “We don’t think it’s fair for folks get a market advantage when they create the misunderstanding or misrepresentation that everything that was done with this steak was done here.”

Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission announced the agency would strengthen its enforcement of the Made in the USA standard while President Biden’s executive order issued last week asks USDA to better define “Product of the USA.”

Vilsack says USDA is working with the FTC to create clarity for consumers and producers. “We think with clarity, we don’t get ourselves in a lot of trouble with the international trading regime because we don’t want to do that, we don’t want retaliation against our farmers, but we can give our consumers more clarity and we’re intent on doing that,” Vilsack says.

Vilsack made his comments Friday in Council Bluffs, Iowa, after announcing $500 million dollars would be available through grants and loans for small meat processors.

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