Smart Woman: Meat Labels Coming to a Grocery Store Near You
By: Lane Stone
Updated: February 29, 2012
The next time you shop for meat at the grocery store, you can expect to see something new nutrition labels. The same types of labels you already see on other foods we buy.
"Important things like calories, protein, fat content, saturated fat, sodium, all those key pieces of information that people look at when they're making choices about nutrition and meal planning," said Undersecretary for Food Safety, Dr. Elisabeth Hagen.
Since 1993 nutrition labels have been voluntary for many meat products. Now the USDA is making them mandatory. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen gave a list of the types of raw meats and poultry that will now either carry nutrition labels on the packaging or have it readily available at the meat counter.
Dr. Hagen said, "All ground meat and poultry and about 40 of the most popular cuts of meat, so chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops, roasts, things like that. Forty of the most popular cuts that people buy in the U.S."
If you don't see the information on the front of the package, turn it over to look on the back.
Some of the bigger cuts will only have the information listed on signs or posters near or above the meat counter.
Dr. Hagen said, "The requirement is that it be accessible, that it be visible and that it be accurate for the consumer."
Meat products that have additional seasonings, flavorings or marinades already come with nutritional information, now meats without added ingredients will as well.
"Important things like calories, protein, fat content, saturated fat, sodium, all those key pieces of information that people look at when they're making choices about nutrition and meal planning," said Undersecretary for Food Safety, Dr. Elisabeth Hagen.
Since 1993 nutrition labels have been voluntary for many meat products. Now the USDA is making them mandatory. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen gave a list of the types of raw meats and poultry that will now either carry nutrition labels on the packaging or have it readily available at the meat counter.
Dr. Hagen said, "All ground meat and poultry and about 40 of the most popular cuts of meat, so chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops, roasts, things like that. Forty of the most popular cuts that people buy in the U.S."
If you don't see the information on the front of the package, turn it over to look on the back.
Some of the bigger cuts will only have the information listed on signs or posters near or above the meat counter.
Dr. Hagen said, "The requirement is that it be accessible, that it be visible and that it be accurate for the consumer."
Meat products that have additional seasonings, flavorings or marinades already come with nutritional information, now meats without added ingredients will as well.
