New USDA Rule To Require Nutrition Facts Panel on 40 Meat and Poultry Cuts

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will be making nutritional information readily available to consumers on 40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry products. Under a new rule, effective Jan. 1, 2012, packages of ground or chopped meat and poultry will feature nutrition facts panels on their labels. Additionally, whole, raw cuts of meat and poultry will have nutrition facts panels either on their package labels or available for consumers at the point-of-purchase.

"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 nutrition facts panels are to include the number of calories and the grams of total fat and saturated fat a product contains. Additionally, 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.

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.

Producers or retailers seeking further information should contact: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins, Director, Labeling and Program Delivery Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, or by phone at (301) 504-0878.

The Federal Register notice announcing this rule can be found at http://federalregister.gov/a/2010-32485.