Source: USDA, 6/22/18

On June 12, 2018, the Organization for Competitive Markets and the American Grassfed Association petitioned FSIS to change the “Product of U.S.A.” entry in the FSIS Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book. The second paragraph of the entry in the policy book states that labeling of meat or poultry products “may bear the phrase 'Product of U.S.A.’ … [i]f the product is processed in the United States.”

The petition requests that FSIS change the second paragraph to state that “products may bear the phrase 'Product of U.S.A.’ …[i]f it can be determined that significant ingredients having a bearing on consumer preference, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc., are of domestic origin (minor ingredients, such as spices or flavorings, are not included). In this case the labels should be approved with the understanding that such ingredients are of domestic origin.” 

The petition is available on FSIS’s website at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/195183b8-d436-4914-8b73-449fd0a5a623/18-05-Amercan-Grassfed-Association-061818.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

FSIS’s regulations permit interested persons to submit comments on petitions filed with the agency and provide for posting these comments on the FSIS webpage (9 CFR 392.7).  Based on communications with stakeholders, FSIS anticipates that it will receive a significant number of comments on this petition.  Therefore, to facilitate submission and public posting of comments, interested persons may submit comments online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov; by mail including CD-ROMs sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3782, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700; or by hand or courier-delivery to 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All comments submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and identification number FSIS-2018-0024. 

Comments on this petition will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments on the petition should be submitted by August 17, 2017.