In a recent press release, the USDA announced that its actions are aimed at safeguarding consumers against “false and misleading” labels, aligning with the administration’s goal to foster competition within the marketplace. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that the initiative’s purpose is to ensure that products bearing the USDA inspection mark accurately reflect their claims. “USDA is taking measures today to uphold the integrity of animal-raising claims and create a fair environment for producers who are genuinely using these claims, which we understand consumers value and depend on for their meat and poultry purchasing decisions,” Vilsack stated.
One specific claim that has raised concerns among stakeholders is “raised without antibiotics.” The USDA plans to assess the validity of this claim by examining antibiotic residues in cattle. Following this evaluation, it will decide whether producers need to provide laboratory testing results for their cattle or if a new verification system for these claims should be established, as stated in the press release. The FSIS last updated its guidelines on animal-raising claims in 2019 during the Trump administration, outlining the necessary information to support claims such as “raised without antibiotics” and “raised without hormones.”
Pressure for more accurate meat claims from the USDA has been mounting from activist groups and lawmakers. A report published earlier this year by the Animal Welfare Institute revealed that 85% of claims from meat products approved by the USDA lacked sufficient substantiation. In March, Democratic Senators, including Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), Cory Booker (New Jersey), and Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), wrote to the USDA urging the department to confront misleading claims.
Research indicates that specific claims on food product labels regarding alleged benefits or ethical growing practices significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions. A 2022 survey conducted by Edelman found that consumers are more inclined to purchase products labeled “raised without antibiotics” and “cruelty-free” compared to those marked “USDA Organic.”
Activist groups have responded positively to the USDA’s announcement. Lance B. Price, the founder of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, stated in an email to Food Dive that consumers need assurance that animal-raising claims are substantiated by evidence. He also urged companies to minimize the use of antibiotic drugs to combat the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. “Companies understand that consumers are motivated by animal welfare, so they often associate reduced antibiotic use claims with improved animal treatment,” Price remarked. “These claims must be supported by empirical testing to validate producers who are honestly using these claims and protect consumers from false and misleading labels.”
In conclusion, as discussions around food labeling continue, questions such as whether calcium and calcium citrate are the same remain relevant, emphasizing the need for clarity in product claims across the board. This also reflects a broader demand for transparency and integrity in labeling practices, particularly concerning animal-raising claims.