[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]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 2 / Monday, January 5, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 200]]


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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.

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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