Nutrient-content label claims

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a final rule permitting nutrient-content claims on labels of multi-service “meal-type” and “main-dish” meat and poultry products.

Such claims had been allowed only on single-serve packages.

The rule adopts FDA’s and the Department of Health and Human Services’ definitions of “meal-type” and “main-dish.” The nutrient-content claims of the multi-serve products will be based on 100 grams rather than the serving size. “Meal-type” and “main-dish” products must contain not less than 40-gram portions of food from at least two of the four food groups, such as bread, fruit, meats, and milk. “Meal-type” products must weigh at least 10 oz per serving and “main-dish” products at least 6 oz per serving.

The final rule took effect November 30, 2004.

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