New USDA Rules in Effect Jan. 1 for ‘Made in USA’ Labeling
New rules from USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) take effect Jan. 1, 2026, regarding voluntary labeling that claims a product is made in the U.S. The rule covers meat, poultry and egg products under USDA's authority.
“Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” may be used on single ingredient FSIS-regulated products derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S. Those same labels may be used on multi-ingredient products if (1) all products in the multi-ingredient product are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S.; (2) all other ingredients, other than spices and flavorings, are of domestic origin; and (3) the preparation and processing steps for the multi-ingredient product occurred in the U.S.
Establishments that choose to use those made in USA label declarations will need to maintain and provide FSIS access to documentation demonstrating that the product meets the regulatory criteria for use of the claim.
FSIS published the final rule back on March 18, 2024. It also provides for voluntary state-origin claims.
See more details on the USDA website.
About the Author
Dave Fusaro
Editor in Chief
Dave Fusaro has served as editor in chief of Food Processing magazine since 2003. Dave has 30 years experience in food & beverage industry journalism and has won several national ASBPE writing awards for his Food Processing stories. Dave has been interviewed on CNN, quoted in national newspapers and he authored a 200-page market research report on the milk industry. Formerly an award-winning newspaper reporter who specialized in business writing, he holds a BA in journalism from Marquette University. Prior to joining Food Processing, Dave was Editor-In-Chief of Dairy Foods and was Managing Editor of Prepared Foods.