Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 4/17/19

It was a request from a small meat processor that prompted USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to propose an amendment to labeling regulations to remove duplicative net weight and net content requirements for packages that contain certain amounts of meat or poultry products.

According to a release, the proposed regulation would apply to products that are at least 1 pound or 1 pint, but less than 4 pounds or 1 gallon.

FSIS is proposing this action after receiving a petition submitted by a small meat processor in response to USDA’s request for ideas to better serve its customers.

“It’s simply good government to review old regulations to see if they are outdated and burdensome,” said FSIS Administrator Carmen Rottenberg. “FSIS doesn’t believe that a duplicative labeling requirement helps consumers and sees it as an unnecessary requirement for industry.”

Under the proposed rule, establishments that produce meat and poultry products in packages containing 1 pound or 1 pint and less than 4 pounds or 1 gallon will be allowed to express the weight or contents in one unit of measurement on the product label, instead of using both measures [e.g., “Net Wt. 24 oz.” or “Net Wt. 1.5 lbs.” rather than “Net Wt. 24 oz. (1.5 lbs.)].

Establishments would be allowed to use their current labels until they run out or may elect to use them indefinitely.

To view the proposed rule and for information on how to comment, click here.

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