---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 1636f"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "1636f"
heading: "Publication of information on retail purchase prices for representative meat products"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/1636f"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products"
  - "Subchapter II — Livestock Mandatory Reporting"
  - "Part E — Administration"
---

# §1636f. Publication of information on retail purchase prices for representative meat products

- (a) **In general—** Beginning not later than 90 days after October 22, 1999, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall compile and publish at least monthly (weekly, if practicable) information on retail prices for representative food products made from beef, [pork](/usc/7/1635i.md?p=16), chicken, turkey, veal, or lamb.
- (b) **Information—** The report published by the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) under [subsection (a)](#a) shall include—
  - (1) information on retail prices for each representative food product described in [subsection (a)](#a); and
  - (2) information on total sales quantity (in pounds and dollars) for each representative food product.
- (c) **Meat Price Spreads Report—** During the period ending 2 years after the initial publication of the report required under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall continue to publish the Meat Price Spreads Report in the same manner as the Report was published before October 22, 1999.
- (d) **Information collection—**
  - (1) **In general—** To ensure the accuracy of the reports required under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall obtain the information for the reports from one or more sources including—
    - (A) a consistently representative set of retail transactions; and
    - (B) both prices and sales quantities for the transactions.
  - (2) **Source of information—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may—
    - (A) obtain the information from [retailers](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-11) or commercial information sources; and
    - (B) use valid statistical sampling procedures, if necessary.
  - (3) **Adjustments—** In providing information on retail prices under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may make adjustments to take into account differences in—
    - (A) the geographic location of consumption;
    - (B) the location of the principal source of supply;
    - (C) distribution costs; and
    - (D) such other factors as the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) determines reflect a verifiable comparative retail price for a representative food product.
- (e) **Administration—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2)—
  - (1) shall collect information under this section only on a voluntary basis; and
  - (2) shall not impose a penalty on a [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) for failure to provide the information or otherwise compel a [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) to provide the information.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, § 257, as added Pub. L. 106–78, title IX, § 911(2), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1204.)