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The nutrition labeling supplemental rule proposal was initially published in the Federal Register in January 2001, but because of the length of time that has passed since its publication, the FSIS is giving the public another chance to comment – while taking into account all comments received since 2001, the agency said.
Specifically, it is requesting comments on fat and lean percentage statements, and what the possible effects of disallowing a lean percentage statement on ground and chopped meat products could be. It is also requesting copies of any studies, surveys or research data related to consumer use and understanding of fat and lean percentage statements on such products.
“The rule is designed to help families make more informed decisions when purchasing and consuming meat and poultry products by requiring nutrition labeling of major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products,” the department said in a statement on Friday.
Currently, multi-ingredient ground meat products already have to carry nutrition labels, but for fresh meat cuts such as beef steaks and pork tenderloin, nutritional information can be either on package labels or posted in the supermarket meat case. Back in 2001 when the rule was first proposed, the USDA argued that ground meat varies so significantly in its fat and nutrient content that consumers cannot make comparisons unless each individual package is labeled.
To comment, and for more information, the supplemental rule proposal can be accessed online here . Comments should be submitted by February 16, 2010.
