The U.S. Department of Agriculture has seen a significant push in recent months to increase transparency in the labeling of American meat and poultry products. President Trump has made it clear that consumers should know exactly what they are buying, and the "Product of USA" label aims to provide that confidence.
The USDA initiative began earlier this year, and it has already seen thousands of American producers display the label on their products. The updated standard of what qualifies as American meat was finalized in 2024, marking a shift from past labeling rules that allowed some imported meat to say it was U.S.-made if it was merely processed domestically.
As part of this push, 10 new companies have adopted the "Product of USA" label, including Harris Ranch and One World Beef, both based in California, and Upper Iowa Beef, American Foods Group, Agri Beef in Idaho, FPL Food in Georgia, Hadrick Farms in South Dakota, Fort Worth Meat Packers in Texas, Wholestone Farms in Nebraska, and Harrison's Poultry in Illinois.
The companies adopting the label believe that transparency is essential in the food industry. Juan Ramos, founder and CEO of Fort Worth Meats, said that the origin of food should never be a mystery, and consumers deserve labels they can trust. Eric Brandt, the president of One World Beef, thanked the USDA for strengthening transparency and helping preserve the future of independent ranching for generations to come.
The USDA will continue to work on strengthening domestic food production and ensuring American agriculture remains the strongest in the world. The agency has also launched a new initiative called the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers Program, which will provide up to $500 million to help eligible small- and mid-sized beef processors expand their domestic operations.
The USDA has outlined specific requirements for companies to be eligible for the program, including being U.S.-owned firms under federal inspection and not holding a dominant position in the beef processing market. The program aims to support independent ranchers, family farmers, and small- and mid-sized meat processors in the United States.
