FSIS Allows Use of FDA Nutrition Facts Format for Meat and Poultry Labels

According to FSIS, meat and poultry producers may utilize FDA’s updated nutrition labeling format “as long as the information on the labels is truthful and not misleading.” Meat and poultry companies that wish to use the updated FDA nutritional labeling format for their products must first submit a labeling sketch using the FDA format to the FSIS Labeling and Program Delivery Staff for review and approval. FSIS believes that this procedure will help ensure that the labels will be in compliance with FDA’s regulations. However, once FSIS publishes a final rule updating its own requirements for meat and poultry, industry members will be required to comply with the new FSIS nutrition labeling requirements. FSIS is accepting comments from stakeholders concerning this approach. Comments should be submitted by December 16, 2016. The FSIS announcement can be found here and the FDA’s updated nutrition labeling procedures can be found here.