Agricultural Livestock and Poultry Program G-33 Specification

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 18, 2023

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Where Food Comes From 

U.S.A Source Verified Beef Program

G-33 Specification

1 REQUIREMENTS

Beef carcasses certified under this specification shall follow an operational USDA Process Verified or 

Quality System Assessment Program that includes verification of this program and shall meet the 

following requirements:

a. All cattle must be identified with an EID tag that is compliant with the Animal Disease 

Traceability (ADT) and/or Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Approved Program using an 

AMS Compliant Tag (PCT) traceable to the U.S.A. ranch of birth;

b. All cattle must be accompanied with an IMI Shipment Load Certificate and must be source and 

age verified.

c. Classed as Steer or Heifer only1

;

d. U.S. Prime, Choice, or Select and have a minimum marbling score of Slight 01 ; 

e. A yield grade of 3.9 or numerically lower1 ; 

f. Less than 30 months of age with lean color, texture, and firmness, meeting the requirements for 

A maturity in the U.S. grade it qualifies for1,2 ; 

g. Practically free (not detracting from visual quality) of capillary rupture in the ribeye muscle; 

and

h. Free of “dark cutting” characteristics.

2 CARCASS IDENTIFICATION

Carcasses to be examined for compliance with the requirements of this specification shall be identified 

and segregated as prescribed in the plant specific QAD Quality Plan procedures. A designated plant or 

WFCF employee shall notify the AMS agent of the approximate slaughter time and lot identification of 

cattle intended for the program prior to their slaughter.

3 TRAINING EMPLOYEES

WFCF or designee shall train individuals responsible for program integrity. These individuals will be 

responsible for training and supervising plant employees who conduct animal and carcass 

identification, product labeling, segregation, storage and distribution, and other duties. A record 

designating each trained employee has completed the approved training, signed by the trainer and 

trainee and must be on file at the plant. 

4 CERTIFICATION

Carcasses to be examined for compliance with this specification shall be clearly identified and 

presented to an AMS grader for certification. Certification procedures for identification, the removal 
Agricultural Livestock and Poultry Program G-33 Specification

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 18, 2023

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

of preliminary identification marks (or other methods of control) from non-qualifying carcasses, and 

control of certified carcasses shall be in accordance with established Quality Assessment Division 

(QAD) procedures.

5 LABELING

Labeling of products derived from certified carcasses must follow Food Safety and Inspection Service

(FSIS) regulations 9 CFR part 317.2, 9 CFR part 412.1, policy guidelines found at FSIS: Labeling and 

Label Approval website and FSIS: Claims Guidance website and QAD procedures including QAD 

107: Requirements for Grading Terms on Meat Product Labeling.

6 FEES

The costs of all grading and certification services performed by an AMS grader involving 

examinations, supervision, official documentation, and related services shall be borne by the person, 

group, or plant requesting the service.

___________________________________

Chad Nelson, National Meat Supervisor

Standards and Specifications Division

Livestock & Poultry Program