“Product of USA” Now Has a Stronger Standard
If a company voluntarily uses “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” on eligible meat, poultry, or egg products, every production step must have occurred in the United States.
Read USDA information →Truth in labeling
What Does “Product of USA” Really Mean?
Consumers deserve clear information about where their food comes from, and American farmers and ranchers deserve a marketplace that recognizes food produced here at home.
An Important Improvement - But We Still Need Mandatory mCOOL
USDA strengthened the voluntary “Product of USA” standard beginning January 1, 2026. A meat, poultry, or egg product using that claim must now come from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States. That change improves the meaning of the label—but companies are not required to place it on every package.
Beef and Pork Still Lack Mandatory Retail mCOOL
Federal mCOOL rules cover several foods, but beef and pork are not currently included among the muscle-cut and ground meats that retailers must label by country of origin.
Review Current mCOOL Rules →Montanans Want mCOOL
Hear why country-of-origin labeling matters to Montana consumers, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Why Mandatory mCOOL Matters
Clear Choices for Consumers
A consistent country-of-origin label helps shoppers identify where beef and pork were born, raised, and harvested instead of relying on an optional claim.
Recognition for U.S. Producers
American farmers and ranchers can distinguish domestically raised products from imported meat in the marketplace.
Honesty and Transparency
Clear origin information strengthens trust and helps consumers make purchasing decisions that reflect their priorities.
Born
Raised
Harvested
in the USA
Raised
Harvested
in the USA
At the grocery store
Know What the Labels Tell You
- “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” is now a voluntary USDA-regulated claim requiring all production steps to occur in the United States.
- “USDA Inspected” means the product met federal inspection requirements; it does not by itself identify the animal’s country of origin.
- USDA Prime, Choice, or Select describes beef quality and is not an origin label.
- If origin information matters to you, look for an explicit U.S.-origin statement and ask your retailer or producer questions.
Labeling information reviewed September 2026. Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
Tell Your Elected Officials You Support Mandatory mCOOL
Restoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef requires federal action. Find contact information for Montana’s congressional delegation and make your voice heard in support of mCOOL.