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The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is advocating for a "Processed in the USA" generic label to replace the existing "Product of the USA" label currently used for meat products.  The “Product of the USA” label can be used even though the product has only been minimally processed or repackaged in a facility under USDA inspection.  The current label has neither source verification nor compliance with a food safety standard. 

The NCBA believes that a more descriptive label would benefit domestic producers and could form the basis of a consumer education program. This would ultimately allow cattle producers to benefit from a premium for local production.

The NCBA labeling proposal was developed by a Transparency in Labeling Working Group established in 2019 resulting in approval by the membership in 2020.

The issue relates to Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) introduced in 2002 with successive expansion of the range of food products marketed through 2015. In 2016 COOL was repealed for muscle cuts and ground pork and beef in accordance with a series of WTO rulings.