USDA Issues Final Rule On Descriptive Designation For Raw Meat & Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its regulations to require the use of a descriptive designation as part of the product name on the labels of raw meat and poultry products that contain added solutions and that do not meet a standard of identity. The descriptive designation will have to include the percentage of added solution, and the individual ingredients or multi-ingredient components in the solution listed in descending order of predominance by weight. The print for all words in the product name, including the descriptive designation, must appear in a single easy-to-read type style and color and on a single-color contrasting background. The print may appear in upper and lower case letters, with the lower case letters not smaller than one-third (1/3) the size of the largest letter. The percent solution must appear as a number (e.g., 15, 20, 30) with the percentage sign (%) and may be declared with the word “containing'' or “contains.'' Under this final rule, the word “enhanced'' is not allowed in the product name. The Agency is also removing the standard of identity regulation for “ready-to-cook poultry products to which solutions are added''. 

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