29.12.2010

Effective Jan. 1, 2012, nutrition panels will be required on packages of fresh meat and poultry, according to an announcement by the Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) Wednesday.

The panels will be required on packages of chopped or ground meat and poultry such as ground beef or turkey and either on packages of raw muscle cuts of meat and poultry such as chicken breasts and steaks or as point-of-purchase information.

The panels will include information on calories and fat and will provide consumers with another tool to help them follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

There is no opposition to the rule in the meat and poultry sectors. Trade associations said the panels will be important for educating consumers about all of the significant nutrients that are found in meat and poultry, although groups said they would have liked a longer phase-in period to work out additional costs that will need to be absorbed.