Two California Beef Companies Embrace Product of USA Label
Nov 3, 2026 · 2 min · 3 segments
Eel River Organic Beef joins Harris Ranch in adopting stricter labeling standards, but what could the designation mean for California cattle producers?
Nov 3, 2026 · 2 min · 3 segments
Eel River Organic Beef joins Harris Ranch in adopting stricter labeling standards, but what could the designation mean for California cattle producers?
A California beef company is among eight businesses newly adopting the USDA's Voluntary Product of the USA label.
According to a late October USDA announcement, Eel River Organic Beef is joining the initiative.
So what does the label actually mean? Well, for beef to carry the product of USA claim, the animal must have been born, raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely in the United States.
That is a change from previous labeling standards, which allowed some imported meat to carry a product of USA claim if it was processed domestically.
The stricter rules were finalized in 2024 and took effect in January of this year.
Companies are not required to use the label, but those that do must maintain records supporting their claims.
For California cattle producers, the distinction could help differentiate domestically raised beef in the marketplace.
USDA is encouraging more processors to participate, although it is still unclear how much additional value the label might bring producers.
A California beef company is among eight businesses newly adopting the USDA's Voluntary Product of the USA label.
According to a late October USDA announcement, Eel River Organic Beef is joining the initiative.
So what does the label actually mean? Well, for beef to carry the product of USA claim, the animal must have been born, raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely in the United States.
That is a change from previous labeling standards, which allowed some imported meat to carry a product of USA claim if it was processed domestically.
The stricter rules were finalized in 2024 and took effect in January of this year.
Companies are not required to use the label, but those that do must maintain records supporting their claims.
For California cattle producers, the distinction could help differentiate domestically raised beef in the marketplace.
USDA is encouraging more processors to participate, although it is still unclear how much additional value the label might bring producers.
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