What does “Product of USA” actually mean on a package of beef?

For years, it did not mean the animal was born, raised, and processed in America. In this episode, Rich and Shelley unpack the history of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), why it was repealed for beef and pork, what changed under the new 2026 USDA rule, and why ranchers still say consumers are not being told the whole truth.

They walk through the WTO dispute, the repeal buried in the 2016 omnibus bill, the role of the Big Four meatpackers, and the simple consumer question at the center of all of it: if country of origin matters on so many other foods, why not on beef and pork?

This is a straight conversation about labels, lobbying, ranchers, imports, and your right to know where your food comes from.

If you see Product of USA on beef today, it finally has real meaning. But if there is no label at all, the guessing game is not over.

For farm-direct meat from our family farm and store, visit:
air2groundmeats.com