Nutrition Labeling

For more than 10 years the industry has been operating under a voluntary nutrition labeling program that required at least a poster in the meat case (NutriFacts) summarizing the nutritional content of 45 primary cuts in the fresh meat case. USDA is now in the process of preparing a final rule for mandatory nutrition labeling for fresh meats called "Nutrition Labeling of Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products and Single-Ingredient Products". This rule will most likely include mandatory on-pack labeling for ground meats, and either on-pack labeling or point of sale nutrition information for whole muscle cuts. 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Check-Off, has organized a coalition with the American Meat Institute, Food Marketing Institute, National Pork Board, National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and National Grocers Association to assist retailers to prepare for and implement the final rule. The mission of this coalition is to provide retailers and suppliers tools to help prepare for and implement the rule. The coalition has established a Web site where information on the rule is updated regularly. 

The links below provide additional information:

Proposed USDA Mandatory Nutrition Labeling Rule 

USDA Nutrient Database 

Research on consumer reaction to nutrition labeling