,"The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a revised version of the FSIS Guideline for Label Approval, replacing the March 2024 edition. This update is primarily based on the final rule titled “Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims.”
Purpose of the Revision
FSIS updated the guideline to:
Clarify the use of voluntary U.S.-origin claims, including:“Product of USA” “Made in the USA”
Other alternative claims that specify processing or preparation steps occurring in the United States
Align the guidance with the requirements of the final rule on voluntary U.S.-origin labeling
Make additional clarifications and technical corrections to the previous version
Key Points of the Revised Guideline
1.The guideline explains labeling requirements for voluntary origin declarations on FSIS-regulated products.
2.It reflects FSIS’s current views on U.S.-origin claims and takes effect from the date of publication.
3.Establishments that relied on the March 2024 guideline are expected to review and update their internal procedures in line with the revised guidance.
Legal Status-The guideline is supplementary in nature and does not have legally binding force.
It is intended to:Assist establishments in understanding and complying with existing regulatory requirements
Provide clarity and practical guidance, not to impose new obligations
The document does not bind FSIS or the public and has no independent legal effect.
Target Audience
Primarily intended for small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises
Applicable to all establishments, including:
Official meat and poultry establishments
Egg products plants
For the purposes of the guideline, the term “establishment(s)” includes all of the above, unless otherwise specified.
Industry Expectations
1.Establishments using previous versions of the FSIS Guideline for Label Approval should:
Assess current labeling practices
Update procedures as necessary to align with the revised guidance
The guideline serves as a reference tool to support compliant label development and approval.
The revised FSIS Guideline strengthens regulatory clarity around voluntary U.S.-origin labeling claims while reaffirming that the document is advisory rather than mandatory, helping industry—especially smaller operators—navigate labeling requirements with greater confidence."