USDA Amends Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards) to:

(a) update a number of outdated administrative and organizational references,

(b) clarify agency action as it relates to the withdrawal or denial of service,

(c) update the official shields and grademarks associated with the grading service, and

(d) make reference to the use of instrument grading equipment as a tool utilized by USDA graders when determining official grades on beef and lamb carcasses.

The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2019.

If you have any questions, contact Dana Stahl, Chief, Grading Services Branch at (202) 690-3169 or at Dana.Stahl@usda.gov.