USDA Grading Services for the

Livestock, Meat, Poultry, and

Egg Industries

The Quality Assessment Division (QAD), part of 

the AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) 

Program, provides USDA Grading and Certification 

services for meat, poultry and eggs on a voluntary, 

fee-for-service basis. These services are provided 

by over 850 highly trained, impartial USDA graders 

nationwide. Our services assist in the marketing of 

agricultural products worldwide. 

USDA Grading Service 

There are quality standards and grades for a variety 

of meats, poultry and rabbit carcasses, parts, and 

products, as well as shell eggs. 

At the request of the buyer or seller, products can be 

officially graded by USDA. The grademark, or 

USDA shield, indicates that USDA has officially 

graded the product and that the product met all the 

requirements of the designated quality standard. 

Once the product meets the grade standard, then the 

producer or processor is allowed to market their 

products by using the USDA Grade Shield on the 

product labeling. 

Examples of the highest USDA Grade shields are 

below. The highest grade for Beef is USDA Prime; 

the highest grade for Shell Eggs is USDA Grade 

AA; and the highest grade for Poultry is USDA 

Grade A. 

The Grade 

shields 

identify that 

the 

commodity 

has been 

examined 

and 

certified by 

a USDA 

grader for 

the quality 

indicated. 

Look for the USDA Grade Shield – 

Your Ultimate Assurance of Quality 
August 2015 

Certification Service 

In addition to traditional grading service, QAD 

graders also certify that certain products meet enduser specifications. These specifications can be for 

commodities purchased by USDA including USDA 

Nutrition Assistance Program purchases (for outlets 

such as the National School Lunch Program) and 

deal with characteristics such as weight, packaging, 

and the like; or these specifications can be for 

conformance to a particular third-party requirement. 

This service ensures that volume meat, poultry and 

shell egg purchasers – such as hospitals, schools, 

restaurants, hotels, airlines and the military – 

receive products that comply with their unique 

specifications and contractual requirements. 

Marketing Benefits to Our Customers 

 USDA Grading and certification services provide 

product or process information for buyers and 

consumers, and ensure that the products comply 

with U.S. Grade Standards, specifications, or 

purchasing and processing contracts. 

 Through USDA Grading services, commodities 

can be traded on a uniform basis, coast-to-coast 

and overseas by buyers and sellers who use 

official USDA standards and grades. 

 USDA standards and grades establish a uniform 

description of the commercial quality of products 

to determine value, utility, and price. For 

example, retailers and wholesalers and members 

of the hotel and restaurant industry use USDA 

grades as a value guideline and marketing tool. 

 QAD services allow the establishment of fair, 

competitive bidding between suppliers, and a 

common language that enables buyers and sellers 

to communicate about product quality without 

actually seeing the product. 

 We provide certification that the product meets 

the import requirements established by foreign 

government authorities. As well, Grading 

permits uniform marketing of certified meat, 

poultry and shell eggs for both export and 

domestic distribution through nutrition assistance 

programs. 

 Grading services provide assurance of product 

quality on a continuous basis regardless of 

supplier. 

 Our USDA Grading Services customers can use 

the USDA Grade Shield on product labels to 

assist in marketing their products, possibly for a 

higher value. 

Contact Us for More Information:

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 

Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program 

Quality Assessment Division 

1400 Independence Ave., SW 

Room 3932-South, Mail Stop 0258 

Washington, DC 20250 

Phone: (202) 720-3271 

 Learn more: www.ams.usda.gov