USDA to stop stamping imported meat

7/25/2000- According to an Associated Press report, the Agriculture Department announced on Friday that meat imported from other countries and inspected in the U.S. soon will no longer carry USDA grade stamps. Currently, all meat inspected in the United States, regardless of where it is produced, gets a USDA stamp such as prime, choice, or select.

The USDA said it was changing the practice because of consumer confusion over origin of meat products. U.S. ranchers had sought the change, saying the USDA stamp serves as a form of advertising not meant for foreign meats. The USDA said the change will take place later this summer.