USDA releases options in certifying AMS livestock and poultry commodity products

To provide greater flexibility to contractors that supply food for federal nutrition assistance programs, including many small businesses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will make certification options available for meat and poultry products purchased under these programs.

AMS currently offers two methods in assessing meat and poultry commodity products—primarily grading for poultry, and auditing for meat. For products with raw materials that require an official grade (e.g., USDA Choice, USDA Grade A) or quality meat defect requirements, AMS graders will still be required to perform that activity. Once official grade (e.g., USDA Choice, USDA Grade A) or quality meat defect requirements for raw materials are satisfied, vendors will be afforded the flexibility of using a USDA grader or auditor for all additional processing steps.