Another Reminder: Nutrition Labeling of Single Meat and Poultry Products is Coming Soon

By Riëtte van Laack –

As we previously reported, on December 29, 2010, the Food Safety Inspection Service ("FSIS") published its final rule on nutrition labeling of single ingredient meat and poultry products and ground or chopped meat and poultry products. The new rule requires nutrition labeling on the major cuts of single-ingredient raw meat and poultry products and on all ground or chopped meat and poultry products, with or without added seasonings, unless an exemption applies. The new rule also provides that a lean percentage statement of the fat percentage may be included on ground or chopped product that does not meet the regulatory criteria for a “low fat” label as long as the label meets certain specified criteria.  The rule takes effect on January 1, 2012. 

In August, FSIS issued a notice, informing Inspection Program Personnel of the upcoming implementation date of this rule and instructing the Inspection Personnel to make plant management aware of the final rule and the implementation date of January 1, 2012.  In further efforts to prepare industry for the implementation of this rule, FSIS announced a series of webinars regarding the implementation of the rule. 

FSIS’s website includes a presentation that gives an overview of the nutrition labeling final rule and its requirements, and answers to questions that were submitted via askFSIS.