New Rule Will Require Labels With Nutritional Information on Raw Meat Packaging
Posted on March 4, 2012
A new U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) rule requires food labels with nutrition information to be placed on packaging for most cuts of raw meat. Packages of ground or chopped meat and poultry, such as hamburger or ground turkey, will feature nutrition facts panels on their labels.
40 of the most popular whole, raw cuts of meat and poultry, such as chicken breast or steak, will also be required to have nutritional information either on the package labels or on display to consumers at the store.
Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, said in a statement, "Providing nutrition information on meat and poultry products in the store gives shoppers a clearer sense of the options available, allowing them to purchase items that are most appropriate for their families' needs. These new labels mark a significant step in the agency's efforts to help consumers make more informed food purchase decisions."
The USDA explains the new labeling.
The new nutrition facts panels will list the number of calories and the grams of total fat and saturated fat that a product contains. For example, consumers will be able to compare the calories and fat content for ground turkey versus ground beef, or for pork chops versus chicken breasts, right in the store. Additionally, a ground or chopped product that includes on its label a lean percentage statement, such as "85% lean," and is not considered "low in fat" also will list its fat percentage, making it easier for consumers to understand the amounts of lean and fat content in a particular product. Consumers will no longer have to guess which products fit their diets.
There's also a PDF with questions and answers from FSIS.