The 2021 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention has been taking place this week in Marco Island, Florida and one person attending is National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Jerry Bohn. NCBA recently filed a petition with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to eliminate the use of “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) and other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef products that are potentially misleading to consumers. Bohn explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what it is they are asking for.
NCBA notes this voluntary label would represent investments made by producers to continually improve their product and meet consumer demand. Marketing through source-verification will provide a more accurate and truthful description of the product, which will reduce the potential for consumer confusion while increasing the ability for cattle producers to capture additional premiums for their product.