Mandatory meat labelling would cost US industry $1B a year, study finds
Consumers would bear most of the burden in higher prices
28 July 2026
1 minute read
By: A new economic analysis commissioned by the Meat Institute has found that reinstating mandatory country of origin labelling for beef and pork would cost the US meat supply chain more than $1 billion annually, with much of that cost passed on to consumers, according to a press release from the organisation.
The study, conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions, estimates compliance costs would total $1.02 billion in the first year, including $721 million for beef and $296 million for pork. Costs are projected to reach $4.8 billion over five years and $10.1 billion over ten years.
Consumers would bear an estimated $835 million more annually for beef and $284 million more for pork, totalling more than $1.1 billion in additional food costs each year, according to the study.
Meat packers, processors and retailers would face the largest compliance burden, covering tracking, recordkeeping, product segregation, labelling and verification. Retail beef compliance costs alone could reach nearly $488 million in the first year.
Ground beef presents particular challenges, the study found. It made up nearly 48% of all beef consumed in the US in 2025 and often combines imported lean beef with domestic trimmings, making origin labelling difficult and expensive. Compliance costs for ground beef alone could range from $202 million to $688 million annually.
"This study proves there are real and significant costs to mCOOL which would raise the price of meat for consumers already struggling to afford groceries," said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute. "mCOOL would burden both packers and livestock producers with added costs at a time when beef packers are losing money due to the smallest herd size in 75 years causing record high prices for cattle."
