Meat, Poultry to Bear Nutrition Facts Panel

The USDA announced last week that “40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry products” will require new nutrition labels in 2012.

Effective January 1, 2012, packages of ground, chopped, and whole cuts of meat and poultry will be required to feature total calories, total grams of fat, and total grams of saturated fat on their labels.

Additionally, any meat labeled with a lean percentage (e.g., “75% lean”) must also highlight its fat percentage.

Fur further reading, check out the Federal Registry notice on 2012 nutrition labeling rules for meat and poultry.

Retailers and producers seeking more details on the labeling rules 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.