For years, multinational meatpackers have used a simple loophole to mislead consumers and undercut American ranchers. Imported beef, repackaged in the U.S., could legally be labeled “Product of USA.”
The result? Ranchers lost market share. Consumers lost trust. And corporations profited off a false promise.
This deceptive labeling scheme drove down prices for independent producers while inflating margins for the world’s biggest meat companies — all under a patriotic-sounding label that meant almost nothing.
After a six-year campaign led by Farm Action, this labeling loophole will finally be closed. In 2024, USDA issued a final rule requiring that, beginning January 1, 2026, the “Product of USA” label can only be used on meat that is born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.
This is a landmark victory for truth in labeling and for independent U.S. ranchers, who have long fought against being pushed out of the market by cheaper, foreign beef disguised as American.
But while this reform is critical, it is only a first step.
Even with a reformed “Product of USA” label, millions of pounds of imported beef will continue to enter the U.S. market with no country-of-origin label at all. Without mandatory labeling, these products undercut American producers and keep shoppers in the dark about where their food truly comes from.
That’s why we must restore Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) — the full policy that once required retailers to clearly disclose the source of beef, pork, and other products.
MCOOL was originally enacted in the early 2000s, but in 2015, it was repealed after heavy lobbying by corporate meatpackers and threats of trade retaliation from the World Trade Organization. In the years since, transparency has disappeared, and independent U.S. ranchers have continued to struggle in a rigged market.
Restoring MCOOL is essential — and achievable.
Congress must pass the American Beef Labeling Act, a bipartisan bill led by Senators John Thune and Cory Booker, which would reinstate mandatory labeling for beef.
In 2026, the scheduled review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) presents an opportunity for the Trump administration to restore MCOOL protections for all meat traded across North America.
This is not just about labeling. It’s about fair competition, honest food, and a system that puts producers and consumers above corporate interests.
Farm Action will keep fighting until we get there.
Farm Action has long pursued the goal of honest country of origin labeling, which can be achieved through action by Congress, the White House, USDA, and FTC. Learn more below:
“MCOOL is not optional—it is essential. It is essential for rebuilding the herd, restoring fairness, and protecting our food security. The USMCA Joint Review is your moment to fix this,” said Farm Action’s Joe Maxwell.
“For years, multinational meatpackers have been allowed to import beef without indicating its origin—undermining U.S. ranchers and leaving consumers in the dark,” said Farm Action President Angela Huffman.
The six-year fight to reform the “Product of U.S.A.” label was hard-won. Here’s how the movement started by Farm Action’s founders overcame the obstacles along the way.
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