[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 200] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-63] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 2 / Monday, January 5, 1998 / Notices [[Page 200]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. 97-077N] Availability of Survey Results From a Nutritional Analysis of Meat and Poultry Products AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of results from the ``Nutritional Analysis of Meat and Poultry Products,'' a survey conducted to determine the accuracy of the nutrition labeling of meat and poultry products. The products, which were statistically representative of nationally available products under the mandatory nutrition labeling program, were analyzed under contract for specific nutrients. The survey found that approximately 92 percent of all tested nutrients had values consistent with labeling claims. ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the summary or the full report to the FSIS Docket Room, Docket #97-077N, Attn: Ms. Diane Moore, Room 102, Cotton Annex Building, 300 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 6, 1993, FSIS published a final rule entitled ``Nutrition Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products'' (58 FR 632) with corrections on August 18, 1993, (58 FR 43787) and technical amendments on September 10, 1993, (58 FR 47624). The final rule permits voluntary nutrition labeling on single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products and establishes mandatory nutrition labeling for all other meat and poultry products, with certain exemptions. In 1996, Covance (formerly Corning Hazelton) Laboratories was awarded a contract to analyze samples of meat and poultry products for specified nutrients in order to provide an overall assessment of the accuracy of nutrition labeling. The survey was conducted as part of FSIS' effort to verify that nutrition information, which is provided by food manufacturers, is accurate and consistent with the Agency's regulatory requirements. In addition, the survey responds to the General Accounting Office (GAO) recommendation that FSIS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develop a coordinated strategy to evaluate the overall effectiveness of Federal food labeling regulations. Three hundred products were analyzed in the survey. The sampling design was developed using A.C. Nielsen's Scantrack Tapes. Covance analyzed all samples for protein, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, moisture, and ash. Calories, calories from fat, and carbohydrate values were calculated for all products. Covance also analyzed products with label nutrient values greater than 6 percent of the Daily Value for fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. FSIS evaluated the data to determine whether the label values were within the regulatory specifications for compliance, and 92 percent were consistent with labeling values. These results are comparable to those obtained by FDA in a similar study conducted in December 1996. Done in Washington, DC, on: December 16, 1997. Thomas J. Billy, Administrator. [FR Doc. 98-63 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P