Shady efforts by the meat industry to sidestep having to inform consumers about where its cattle are born, raised and slaughtered have ultimately failed, as a U.S. District Court recently struck down lunatic claims that the new requirements somehow violate free speech. In her 76-page ruling, Judge Ketanji B. Jackson rejected claims by the meat industry that new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) meat labeling requirements violate the First Amendment, a strong judicial move that represents a solid victory for the truth-in-labeling movement.

In conjunction with new provisions outlined in the latest installment of the quinquennial farm bill, the USDA recently established updated country of origin labeling requirements for meat products that are set to take effect in November.