June 15, 2023

USDA aims to crack down on misleading animal-welfare claims on meat and poultry packaging

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its intention to address false or misleading animal-welfare claims found on meat and poultry packaging, with plans to provide new guidance and implement testing measures, Yahoo! Finance reported.

Claims such as "pasture-raised," "humanely raised," and "raised without antibiotics" have gained popularity among consumers and allow producers to command higher prices for their products. For instance, Perdue's "free range" chicken breasts, raised without antibiotics, are sold for US$5.78 per pound at Walmart, while store-brand chicken breasts without such claims sell for US$2.79 per pound.

Both meat producers and animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the USDA's inadequate substantiation of these claims and its failure to ensure that they align with consumer expectations. While some terms, like "free range," are clearly defined by the USDA, other terms, including "humane," are left to producers' interpretation, resulting in varying conditions for animals.

Before meat and poultry products can be sold, the USDA must approve all animal welfare claims displayed on their labels. However, unlike "organic" claims, which undergo in-person verification by government regulators, animal welfare claims are substantiated through paperwork submitted to the USDA.

Sandra Eskin, the USDA's deputy undersecretary for food safety, said that the agency lacks regulatory authority to verify animal welfare claims on farms. The USDA plans to update its guidelines to require more extensive documentation from companies making such claims. It will also strongly encourage companies to enlist third-party verification groups, such as Human Farm Animal Care, to certify animal welfare claims.

To further substantiate "no antibiotics" claims, the USDA intends to explore new testing methods capable of detecting traces of antibiotics in animals upon arrival at processing plants.

Eskin also said that the USDA may revise definitions of certain claims, a request made by some producers. Perdue Foods, a prominent poultry and pork producer, recently sought clarification from the USDA regarding the distinction between "free range" and "pasture raised." Perdue said that the agency treats the terms interchangeably, despite the fact that "free range" chickens may roam in dirt or shrubs instead of actual pasture.

The Animal Welfare Institute, a non-profit organization monitoring animal welfare claim submissions to the USDA, found that 85% of the 97 claims it reviewed lacked adequate documentation to substantiate the claims.

-      Yahoo! Finance