Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1040 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 6 

Date Issued: 01/09/09

LIVESTOCK FEEDING CLAIMS

AUDIT PROGRAM

1 Purpose

This document provides the requirements for the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program. It also 

provides the requirements used for the objective evaluation of a program submitted for approval and 

monitored by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Livestock and Poultry Program, Quality 

Assessment Division (QAD). 

2 Scope

The Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program may be used by U.S. companies that request to have 

livestock feeding claims that are applied to livestock, meat, and agricultural products verified and 

monitored by the QAD. A company's program may include all phases of production and marketing, or any 

portion as described in the scope of the program. 

As an alternative to the requirements outlined in this document, companies may apply the requirements of 

the USDA Process Verified Program to meet the livestock feeding claims. The requirements of the USDA 

Process Verified Program (PVP) are defined in QAD 1001 Procedure: USDA Process Verified Program. 

3 References

QAD 1000 Procedure: Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures

Grain Fed Diet Clarification

USDA Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program website

USDA FSIS: Export Library – Requirements by Country website

QAD 1013 Procedure: USDA EV Program Specified Product Requirements NHTC for the European Union 

USDA Non-Hormone Treated Cattle Program website

4 Responsibilities

4.1 Companies must meet all policies, procedure, and requirements outlined in this document and QAD

1000 Procedure. 

4.2 The QAD is responsible for conducting audits of companies in accordance to the QAD 1000 

Procedure to verify that the requirements of the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program are met 

and maintained.

5 Audit Frequency

Approved PVP programs are audited at least once per fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) and QSA

programs are audited at least twice per fiscal year. However, more frequent audits may be conducted (1) if 

either numerous major or minor non-conformances are identified during an audit; (2) if customer 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1040 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 April 1, 2019

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Date Issued: 01/09/09

complaints indicate an ongoing problem; (3) to satisfy specific requests as declared by customers, trading 

partners, or other financial interested parties; or (4) as directed by QAD.

A company that meets the livestock feeding claims through a USDA PVP is audited in accordance with the 

audit frequency outlined in QAD 1001 Procedure.

QAD may request records for review at any time.

6 Listing of Approved Programs

Companies who produce products that conform to the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program are listed 

on the Official Listing of Approved Companies to the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program. The 

Official Listing is available on the USDA website. 

7 Livestock Feeding Claims 

The following livestock feeding claims may be verified under the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit 

Program. 

7.1 Specified Livestock Feeding Claim

7.1.1 The company may specify its own livestock feeding claim. The following information must be 

provided for a specified claim:

a) The ration;

b) The number of days on feed, and

c) The rate of feed (lbs per day per head).

Note: This information is included on the Official Listing.

7.2 European Union (EU) High Quality Beef

Meat and meat products derived from animals that meet this livestock feeding claim are eligible for 

certification by FSIS for export to the European Union (EU) and Switzerland as High Quality Beef. Refer 

to the USDA FSIS export requirements website for additional European Union requirements. 

7.2.1 Quota A: Cattle must have been fed for 100 days or more on a nutritionally balanced, high energy 

feed concentration ration containing no less than 70% grain, and at least 20 pounds feed per day per 

head. 

Note 1: Grain is defined within the Grain Feed Diet Clarification document. 

Note 2: The 100 days does not have to be consecutive. 

Note 3: Beef must be obtained from cattle less than 30 months of age in order to ship under Quota 

A.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1040 Procedure 

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Date Issued: 01/09/09

Note 4: Beef graded “Choice” or “Prime” according to the USDA standards automatically meets 

the Quota A. 

7.2.2 Quota B: Cattle must have been fed the last 100 days on a diet containing not less than 62% of 

concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis that meet or exceed a 

metabolisable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per one kilogram of dry matter (12.26 

MJ/kg = 60.318 NEg per 100 lbs). The heifers and steers that are fed the diet described above shall 

be fed, on average, no less that 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis. 

Note 1: Carcasses must undergo a carcass evaluation by the QAD. 

Note 2: Beef must be obtained from cattle less than 30 months of age in order to ship under Quota 

B. 

Note 3: In addition to meeting Quota requirements, cattle must also be sourced from an approved 

NHTC Program, in order to be exported to the European Union. 

7.3 Never Fed Beta Agonists Claim

Beta Agonists are substances approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve weight 

gain, feed efficiency, and carcass leanness in confinement animals raised for slaughter. According to FDA 

requirements, beta agonists are labeled only for use during the finishing period of the animal’s life. This 

claim verifies that animals have never received beta agonists at the location(s) where they reside during the 

finishing period of their life.

8 Livestock Feeding Claims Audit Program Requirements 

Livestock feeding claims must be supported by the requirements of the Livestock Feeding Claims Audit

Program. Companies must submit a documented program that addresses the program requirements as 

outlined below. 

Note: Where a company chooses to meet the livestock feeding claims through an approved Process 

Verified Program, these requirements are already included within the USDA Process Verified Program. 

8.1 Monitoring and Measurement of Processes

8.1.1 The company must apply suitable methods for monitoring and, where applicable, measurement of 

processes. These methods must demonstrate the ability of the processes to achieve planned results. 

8.1.2 When planned results are not achieved, correction and corrective action must be taken, as 

appropriate, to ensure conformity of the product. 

8.2 Monitoring and Measurement of Product 
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Date Issued: 01/09/09

8.2.1 The company must monitor and measure the characteristics of the product to verify that product 

requirements have been met. This must be carried out at appropriate stages of the product 

realization process in accordance with planned arrangements. 

8.2.2 Non-conforming product must be controlled and not used within the program. 

8.3 Identification and Traceability

8.3.1 The company must have a documented procedure to identify product by suitable means throughout 

product realization, where appropriate. 

8.3.2 The documented procedure must describe the method for: 

a) Identifying the product throughout product realization;

b) Controlling and recording the unique identification of the product; and

c) Identifying the product status with respect to monitoring and measurement requirements.

8.3.3 The method for identifying the product must be such that identification will transfer through all 

phases of product realization, from receipt into the program through production to delivery. 

8.4 Corrective Action

8.4.1 The company must take action to eliminate the cause of non-conformances in order to prevent 

recurrence.

8.4.2 Corrective actions must be appropriate to the affects of the non-conformance encountered. 

8.5 Control of Documents

8.5.1 The company must control all documents required by this program. 

8.5.2 Control of documents includes at a minimum: 

a) Documents must contain the current revision status of the document on each page.

b) The company must ensure that relevant versions of applicable documents are available at all

associated sites where program activities are conducted.

c) The company must prevent the use of obsolete or unapproved documents.

d) Documents must be retained for the timeframe necessary to provide evidence of conformance.

8.6 Control of Records

8.6.1 The company must establish and maintain records to provide evidence of conformity to program 

requirements, to livestock feeding claims, and of the effective operation of the program.
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Date Issued: 01/09/09

8.6.2 Control of records includes at a minimum:

a) The company must control all records required by this program.

b) Records must be stored in a manner so as to prevent loss, damage, or alteration.

c) Records must be legible, easily accessible, and readily available.

d) Records must be retained for the timeframe necessary to provide evidence of conformance.

8.7 Documented Procedures

8.7.1 The company must establish, document, implement, and maintain documented procedures to cover 

situations where their absence could lead to deviations from the livestock feeding claims and 

conformance to this program.

8.8 Shipping Documentation

8.8.1 Shipping documentation (bills of lading, shipping manifests, letters of guarantee, or electronic 

transmissions) must accompany each shipment of animals and/or product that occurs due to sale or 

transfer of custody.

8.8.2 Shipping documentation must include a statement identify the animals and/or product as meeting 

the requirements of the Livestock Feeding Claim Audit Program for the specific claim. In addition, 

it must clearly identify the animals and/or product and the quantity. 

For Example: "Animals meet the requirements of the Livestock Feeding Claim Audit Program for 

EU High Quality Beef Quota A, B, or A&B (Identify which quota the animals met)".

___________________________________

Jeff Waite, Branch Chief

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender 

identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political 

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 

complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) 

should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-

8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program 

Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a 

copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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Date Issued: 01/09/09

Appendix A – Definitions

1 Conforming Product: product within the program that meets, and can be verified as meeting, 

the livestock feeding claim.

2 Corrective Action: action to eliminate the cause of a detected non-conformance.

3 Correction: action to eliminate a detected non-conformance. 

4 Documented Procedure: A procedure that is established, documented, implemented, and 

maintained. 

5 Measurement: the actual determination of a value. Requires the use of a device to determine 

the numerical value of a product characteristic or process parameter at a given time.

6 Monitoring: a general term implying oversight over time.

7 Non-conforming Product: product within the program that does not meet, or cannot be verified 

as meeting the livestock feeding claim. 

8 Planned Arrangements: arrangements that have been pre-determined under the program.

9 Procedure: a specified way to carry out an activity or process.

10 Product: a raw material or finished good. The type of product depends upon where it is within 

product realization. Under this program, a product may be live animals, meat, or other 

agricultural products.

11 Product Realization: the process of developing a product from initial acceptance of the raw 

materials through production to delivery that meets stated requirements.

12 Product Requirements: includes, but may not be limited to, the livestock feeding claims as 

outlined in Section 7 and the requirements of this program as outlined in Section 8. 

13 Record: a document that states results achieved or provides evidence of activities performed.