U.S. Beef For Retail Should Be Labeled “U.S. Origin”
European Union
U.S. Beef For Retail Should Be Labeled “U.S. Origin”
In response to the growth of the U.S. beef market in Europe USMEF sought clarification from USDA and the European Commission on many EU import requirements, including those pertaining to beef labeling (European Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000).
USMEF learned that in order to market U.S. beef as U.S. Beef in the European Union’s retail sector the product label must indicate that the product is “U.S. Origin” instead of “Origin: Non-EC and Slaughtered in the U.S.” The European Commission will not permit product with the “Non-EC Slaughtered in the U.S.” origin label to accompany a labeling claim or promotion that states product is U.S. beef. Nor can it accompany a picture of the U.S. flag.
As the Non-hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program prevents non-U.S. cattle from being part of the system, USMEF strongly recommends labels include the “U.S. Origin” statement so that product may be marketed as U.S. product. With the multiplicity of products of different origins available in the EU this clear statement of origin will re-enforce consumer confidence in the product. The vaguer labeling, “Origin: Non-E.C. and Slaughtered in the U.S.” might undermine consumer confidence in the product.
Labels should include the following information (or some variation) in order to promote U.S. beef as U.S. beef in the retail sector:
1. Origin: United States
2. Establishment numbers for slaughter and cutting facilities:
- If slaughtering and cutting are in different plants, Slaughtered in the United States, EST. #; Cut in the United States, EST. #
- If slaughtering and cutting in the same plant, Slaughtered and cut in the United States, EST. #
3. A reference/traceability number
Below is the information from the FSIS Library of Exports, the scenario spelled out above is not clear in the library, and USMEF will work with USDA to indicate that Option 1 should be used for retail and/or HRI and Option 2 should not be used for retail and used for HRI only if it is not being marketed as U.S. beef. Due to the marketing advantages, USMEF recommends Option 1 whenever possible.
USDA/FSIS Library of Exports – European Union:
- Beef Labeling - Additional labeling information must be present on beef arriving in the EU as of January 1, 2001. The labeling requirement applies to all beef intended for human consumption, with the exception of processed products and offal. The beef must be labeled in one of two ways:
1. Under "Option 1" exporters must display the following information on cartons and vacuum bags:
a. A reference number that links the meat with the individual animal from which it originates. In the case of meat derived from a group of animals with a homogeneous background, the reference number can link the meat with the group of animals rather than an individual animal. For the purposes of this labeling requirement, the size of a group of animals is limited to one day's production. There is no specific requirement for the format of the reference number as long as it provides linkage to the animal or group of animals and the origin premises.
b. The phrase "Slaughtered in the United States: Establishment (FSIS slaughter establishment number).
c. The phrase "Cut in the United States: Establishment (FSIS cutting establishment number).
d. The phrase "Origin: United States" if the animals were born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. In the case of imported animals, the countries of birth and of feeding must be indicated, e.g., "Origin: Canada". If the animals were in a country other than the United States for less than 30 days, an indication of the other country is not required. (EU implementation of point 4 is January 1, 2002, rather than January 1, 2001.)
Note: Minced meat should indicate: "Prepared in the United States".
- Under "Option 2" exporters must display the following information on cartons and vacuum bags:
- "Non EC and slaughtered in the United States".
- The labeling is mandatory to the retail level in the EU, or to the point of preparation in the case of product used for HRI purposes.
European Union
U.S. Beef For Retail Should Be Labeled “U.S. Origin”
In response to the growth of the U.S. beef market in Europe USMEF sought clarification from USDA and the European Commission on many EU import requirements, including those pertaining to beef labeling (European Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000).
USMEF learned that in order to market U.S. beef as U.S. Beef in the European Union’s retail sector the product label must indicate that the product is “U.S. Origin” instead of “Origin: Non-EC and Slaughtered in the U.S.” The European Commission will not permit product with the “Non-EC Slaughtered in the U.S.” origin label to accompany a labeling claim or promotion that states product is U.S. beef. Nor can it accompany a picture of the U.S. flag.
As the Non-hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program prevents non-U.S. cattle from being part of the system, USMEF strongly recommends labels include the “U.S. Origin” statement so that product may be marketed as U.S. product. With the multiplicity of products of different origins available in the EU this clear statement of origin will re-enforce consumer confidence in the product. The vaguer labeling, “Origin: Non-E.C. and Slaughtered in the U.S.” might undermine consumer confidence in the product.
Labels should include the following information (or some variation) in order to promote U.S. beef as U.S. beef in the retail sector:
1. Origin: United States
2. Establishment numbers for slaughter and cutting facilities:
- If slaughtering and cutting are in different plants, Slaughtered in the United States, EST. #; Cut in the United States, EST. #
- If slaughtering and cutting in the same plant, Slaughtered and cut in the United States, EST. #
3. A reference/traceability number
Below is the information from the FSIS Library of Exports, the scenario spelled out above is not clear in the library, and USMEF will work with USDA to indicate that Option 1 should be used for retail and/or HRI and Option 2 should not be used for retail and used for HRI only if it is not being marketed as U.S. beef. Due to the marketing advantages, USMEF recommends Option 1 whenever possible.
USDA/FSIS Library of Exports – European Union:
- Beef Labeling - Additional labeling information must be present on beef arriving in the EU as of January 1, 2001. The labeling requirement applies to all beef intended for human consumption, with the exception of processed products and offal. The beef must be labeled in one of two ways:
1. Under "Option 1" exporters must display the following information on cartons and vacuum bags:
a. A reference number that links the meat with the individual animal from which it originates. In the case of meat derived from a group of animals with a homogeneous background, the reference number can link the meat with the group of animals rather than an individual animal. For the purposes of this labeling requirement, the size of a group of animals is limited to one day's production. There is no specific requirement for the format of the reference number as long as it provides linkage to the animal or group of animals and the origin premises.
b. The phrase "Slaughtered in the United States: Establishment (FSIS slaughter establishment number).
c. The phrase "Cut in the United States: Establishment (FSIS cutting establishment number).
d. The phrase "Origin: United States" if the animals were born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. In the case of imported animals, the countries of birth and of feeding must be indicated, e.g., "Origin: Canada". If the animals were in a country other than the United States for less than 30 days, an indication of the other country is not required. (EU implementation of point 4 is January 1, 2002, rather than January 1, 2001.)
Note: Minced meat should indicate: "Prepared in the United States".
- Under "Option 2" exporters must display the following information on cartons and vacuum bags:
- "Non EC and slaughtered in the United States".
- The labeling is mandatory to the retail level in the EU, or to the point of preparation in the case of product used for HRI purposes.