USDA adopts audit-based verification for federal food program ground beef purchases
Phased change aims to lower costs and barriers for processors entering the USDA Foods program while retaining microbiological testing and FSIS inspection.
Ground beef
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The US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will move to an audit-based model for ensuring ground beef purchased for federal food and nutrition assistance programs meets specifications and recipient needs. By removing unnecessary requirements, AMS will continue procuring high-quality, nutritious, safe and wholesome protein for USDA Foods recipients while also encouraging new vendor participation by lowering the barrier to entry and keeping costs down.
Currently, companies who sell ground beef into the USDA Foods program, including the National School Lunch Program, are required to have a USDA grader present during production, submit microbiological samples on each lot of product and undergo a monthly audit. AMS will transition to a model that maintains audit oversight and microbiological testing but does not require USDA graders to be on-site each day. Instead, AMS will certify plant personnel to conduct quality checks and enter real-time data digitally, which AMS will use alongside the vendor’s approved technical proposal and onsite audits.
Companies producing fresh, frozen and further processed beef and pork products already successfully use an audit-only acceptance model. In January 2026, AMS announced it was also moving more of its poultry and egg product purchases towards an audit model. By taking these steps, AMS said it is removing unnecessary burdens for vendors while still ensuring these foods meet recipients’ expectations. AMS emphasized that all meat and poultry products are inspected for safety and wholesomeness by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Implementation for ground beef vendors will occur in phases. Phase one shifts verification responsibilities from USDA graders to certified plant personnel at facilities that produce ground beef intended for further processing and cooking. Phase two applies the same model to facilities distributing raw products.
AMS will host an industrywide webinar Aug. 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, detailing the program requirements. Any program updates and resources, including webinars, will also be announced through AMS GovDelivery notifications.
Source: USDA AMS
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