FSIS issues final rule on meat and poultry description changes

Issued on 31 December 2014, the amendments to the regulations will require the use of a descriptive designation as part of the product name of the labels of raw meat and poultry products that contain added solutions, and that do not meet "a standard of identity".​

The description must include the percentage of added solution, as well as the individual ingredients or multi-ingredient components in the solution.

The final rule​ also dictates that the print must appear in a single easy-to-read font and colour, on a single-colour contrasting background.

The word ‘enhanced’ is also not allowed as part of product names under the changes.

The changes to the labelling of products containing added solutions were originally proposed by FSIS in July 2011, in response to two petitions that requested that changes be made to avoid consumers being misled by the ongoing marketing of added-solution poultry products.

FSIS estimated that these changes would incur a one-off cost of $52m-$84m to the industry, which equates to around $8,496-$13,765 per establishment.