USDA: Meat Products to Carry Nutrition Labels by 2012

WASHINGTONUSDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced in the Federal Register that beginning Jan. 1, 2012, nutritional information will be readily available to consumers on 40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry products.

The final rule10 years in the makingamends federal meat and poultry product regulations to require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single ingredient, raw meat and poultry products on labels or at point of-purchase, and to require nutrition labels on all ground or chopped meat and poultry products, with or without added seasonings, unless the products are exempted.

Under the new rule, packages of ground or chopped meat and poultry will feature nutrition facts panels on their labels. Whole, raw cuts of meat and poultry also will have nutrition facts panels either on their package labels or available for consumers at the point-of-purchase.

The nutrition facts panels will include the number of calories and the grams of total fat and saturated fat a product contains. Any product that lists a lean percentage statement, such as "76% lean," on its label also will list its fat percentage, making it easier for consumers to understand the amounts of lean protein and fat in their purchase. The panels should provide consumers with sufficient information at the store to assess the nutrient content of the major cuts, enabling them to select meat and poultry products that fit into a healthy diet that meets their family's or their individual needs.

Examples of the major cuts of raw, single-ingredient meat and poultry products include, but are not limited to, whole or boneless chicken breasts and other pieces, or beef whole cuts such as brisket or tenderloin steak. Examples of ground or chopped meat and poultry products include, but are not limited to, hamburger and ground turkey.

"More and more, busy American families want nutrition information that they can quickly and easily understand," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We need to do all we can to provide nutrition labels that will help consumers make informed decisions. The USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services work hard to provide the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every five years, and now consumers will have another tool to help them follow these guidelines."