Vermont Wagyu is the first farm in the U.S. to ship Certified Authentic Wagyu beef, a new USDA-certified program of the American Wagyu Association (AWA).
Starting Sept. 8, Vermont Wagyu featured the new Certified Authentic Wagyu label on the packaging of its 100% Fullblood Wagyu. This is a milestone for American Wagyu producers and customers seeking certified above Prime beef.
While Japan uses its A5 grading system to classify Wagyu marbling, the U.S. has long relied on broader USDA categories such as Prime, Choice and Select — until now. Recognizing that American Wagyu often exceeds Prime standards, the AWA began advocating in 2019 for a more refined system. In 2024, the USDA introduced a new upper Prime tier, giving producers a way to showcase the true quality of American Wagyu.
Sheila Patinkin, owner of Vermont Wagyu, spearheaded the American Wagyu Association committee responsible for creating the Certified Authentic Wagyu label.
“This program is vital to differentiating the outstanding quality of American Wagyu beef,” Patinkin says. “By looking for the Certified Authentic Wagyu label, consumers, restaurants, and food service workers alike can now identify the quality of their beef with confidence.”
The Certified Authentic Wagyu label will be introduced gradually across Vermont Wagyu’s product line. Only newly packaged products will carry the label at this time.
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