USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has responded to a petition from U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) regarding labeling cell-cultured and non-animal derived products.
In 2018, USCA petitioned FSIS to limit the use of the words “meat” and “beef” to products “derived from animals born, raised and harvested in the traditional manner.”
FSIS, in a response, deferred the labeling of cell-cultured products to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) published on Sept. 3 and encouraged USCA to submit comments on the ANPRM and any subsequent rulemaking related to this matter.
USDA said it has no authority over labeling plant-based products and said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates those products. “When FSIS is made aware that a non-animal product is being labeled as ‘meat’ or ‘beef,’ FSIS refers such information to FDA.”
