The USDA issued a series of guidelines on August 28^th relating to label claims for livestock and poultry. According to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, “The revision to existing guidelines is intended to establish fairness and choice for farmers and consumers and support transparency and high-quality standards” He added, “These updates will help to level the playing field for businesses who are fully using these claims and ensure people can trust the labels when they purchase meat and poultry products.” 

In 2023, the FSIS determined that twenty percent of beef samples from 84 processing plants in 34 states yielded antibiotic residues in liver and kidney tissue despite negative antibiotic claims.  The USDA received public comments, petitions and feedback from wide range of stakeholders in developing the updated guidelines that are now subject to a 90-comment period and will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Principles developed in the new guidelines include the need for third-party validation of claims especially those relating to the environment. It is emphasized that claims including “free-range” and “raised without antibiotics” are voluntary but USDA is now requiring substantiation and documentation before approval as a label claim.

After adoption of the guidelines, USDA may consider a program of random sampling and additional rulemaking to ensure veracity and transparency.