USDA Issues Updated Guidelines on Animal-Raising and Environmental Claims

Today, the USDA released new guidelines aimed at enhancing the verification process for animal-raising and environmental claims.Photo byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today unveiled updated guidelines to strengthen the documentation required for animal-raising and environment-related claims on meat and poultry labels.

Animal-raising claims such as “Raised Without Antibiotics,” “Grass-Fed,” and “Free-Range,” along with environment-related claims like “Raised using Regenerative Agriculture Practices” and “Climate-Friendly,” are voluntary marketing terms used to emphasize specific practices in animal raising or environmental stewardship, according to the USDA.

Companies must submit supporting documentation for these claims, which is reviewed and approved by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service before being included on product labels, USDA officials said.

“USDA remains committed to fairness and choice for both farmers and consumers, which includes upholding transparency and high-quality standards,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

“These updates are designed to level the playing field for businesses that truthfully use these claims and to ensure that consumers can trust the labels when purchasing meat and poultry products.”

The updated guidelines also recommend that establishments using “negative” antibiotic claims, such as “Raised Without Antibiotics” or “No Antibiotics Ever,” implement routine sampling and testing programs or obtain third-party certification that includes testing to detect antibiotic use in animals before slaughter.

FSIS has previously expressed concern regarding negative antibiotic claims, leading to a study conducted in partnership with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

The study found that approximately 20% of samples from cattle marketed as “Raised Without Antibiotics” contained antibiotic residues.

According to FSIS, it has advised establishments with positive results to conduct a root cause analysis and implement corrective measures to prevent future misbranding.