The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released an updated guideline to help industry strengthen animal-raising and environment-related label claims on meat and poultry products. With regard to food safety, such claims include “raised without antibiotics.” Other such claims include “grass-fed,” free-range,” “raised using regenerative agriculture practices,” and “climate-friendly.”

USDA has raised specific concern over negative antibiotic claims, and in addition to the updated guidance, may take future action to ensure label claims are truthful, such as random sampling activities and possible rulemaking.