------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6586 Care And Handling Labels For Meat and Poultry Permission is granted to create and distribute copies of this document for non-commercial purposes provided that the author and MES receive acknowledgement and this notice is included. Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota, 405 Coffey Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108. (612) 625-2787 * pmailop@mes.umn.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ÿWPC2 CARE AND HANDLING LABELS FOR MEAT AND POULTRY FROM:Á Á Á Á Á Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy announced an Interim Final Rule requiring The rule specifies the care and handling instructions that are to appear During the press conference, the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and information through radio, news columns, bulletins, and phone calls. The The Food Safety specialists will receive copies of the FSIS Backgrounder and letter. ##### - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ATTACHMENT 1: PRESS RELEASE NEWS United States Office of News Division Department of Public Affairs Room 404-A Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250 Release No. 0687.93Ô Steve Kinsella (202) 720-4623 Mary Dixon (202) 720-4623 ESPY SAYS NOT-READY-TO-EAT MEAT AND POULTRY TO HAVE CARE & HANDLING LABELS WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy today said "When you and I go to the grocery store, we will see this new handling "I want to make it clear, we are not relinquishing USDA from its Under the new USDA rule, manufacturers and retailers must label all not The new labels that will appear on product in grocery stores required Though today's announcement outlined an interim final rule, only "Our goal is to improve public awareness about the necessity of safe Today's announcement marks another step by Espy to improve the meat and On Feb. 5, Espy announced plans for a USDA pathogen reduction program Ô 2 Espy, who took office the same week the E. coli outbreak in the western # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ATTACHMENT 2: FSIS BACKGROUNDER (Note: In the sample labels on pages 3 and 4, [ICON] has been used to FSIS BACKGROUNDER United States Food Safety Department of Agriculture and Inspection Service FSIS Information Media Relations Office Office (202) 720-9113 (202)720-0314 August 1993 ___________________________________________________ SAFE HANDLING STATEMENTS FOR RAW MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS ___________________________________________________ The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the Agency in the U.S. poultry products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. As part of a and poultry products packaged and labeled at federally inspected plants and must carry the safe handling statements. Pathogen Mandatory safe handling statements for raw meat Reduction and poultry products is one of a number of steps Program Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy is taking as part of the Pathogen Reduction Program, a comprehensive initiative to reduce the risk ofÔ result of a tragic outbreak of foodborne illness in January 1993 in several western states caused by the pathogenic bacterial strain E. coli 0157:H7, which was found in undercooked hamburgers served in fast-food restaurants. USDA is taking steps to reduce pathogens throughout the food production chain -- on the farm, in slaughter and processing plants, during transportation and distribution, and in the kitchen. USDA estimates that foodborne illnesses attributable to meat and poultry products cost the nation approximately $3.9 to $4.3 billion each year. Consumer Consumer education is a key component of Education USDA's pathogen reduction strategy since studies indicate a significant number of food preparers lack basic food safety information and skills. Since the 1970's, FSIS has conducted a comprehensive food safety program to educate consumers about safe handling, preparation, and storage of meat and poultry products. FSIS operates a toll-free, nationwide hotline staffed by food safety specialists. The Agency also targets specialized audiences such as institutional food handlers and populations most susceptible to foodborne illness. Mandatory safe handling instructions on raw meat and poultry products will greatly enhance this ongoing education program by providing food handlers with critical food safety information when it is most needed -- at the point of purchase and during preparation. To increase the effectiveness of the labels, FSIS will provide information to help consumers and food service employees understand the safe handling instructions. The Regulation The regulation covers raw meat and poultry products (fresh and frozen) packaged and labeled in federally inspected plants and retail establishments and sold to consumers and institutions. All products not considered Á ground meat products such as hamburgers and pork sausage chicken breasts, whole turkeys, and frozen chicken nuggets are covered by the regulation as well. The requirements also apply to imported meat and poultry products. Products destined for further processing in an official establishment areÔ not reach consumers or food service operations. The safe handling instructions may be incorporated onto existing labels or added to packages in the form of pressure-sensitive labels. Since the regulations prescribe the exact language and size of the safe handling instructions, the labels will not be individually approved by FSIS. However, a copy of the label must be provided to the inspector-in-charge at the federally inspected plant where the product is packaged and labeled before the label can be used. Labels for products packaged at retail establishments are not required to be submitted to FSIS; however, these products must comply with the requirements and are subject to regulation by state and local Á The interim final rule, scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on August 16, 1993, becomes effective 60 days after publication. By that date, all labels on raw meat and poultry products will be required to carry safe handling statements. FSIS will accept comments on the interim final rule for 30 days. The Agency is particularly interested in receiving comments on the need for an alternative means of providing safe handling instructions, the appropriateness and inclusiveness of products to be labeled, the appropriateness of the symbols, and whether manufacturers should be permitted to use other safe handling statements. Comments should be sent to the Policy Office, Attn.: FSIS Hearing Clerk, Room 3171, South Agriculture Building, FSIS, USDA, Washington, DC 20250, and should refer to Docket No. 93-012I. The regulation meets the requirements of a court-sanctioned agreement reached warnings in favor of information and education, USDA agreed to publish a Reflecting its commitment to take immediate steps to reduce foodbome illness, rather than a proposal. Safe Handling Statements FSIS conducted focus group research to determine which of several safe handling label formats would be most useful to consumers. Participants felt that safe handling instructionsÔ labeling, such as pamphlets or in-store signs, should be used only to supplement package labels. Instructions that consisted of short messages and, included graphic illustrations were preferred. Focus group participants also felt a rationale statement indicating why it is important Á The safe handling instructions were developed after reviewing the available literature, reviewing the results of the focus group research, and consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which provides guidance for food service operations. The instructions address four key areas critical to food safety: safe storage of raw products, prevention of cross-contamination, safe cooking procedures, and handling of leftovers. For institutions, holding of prepared food at an appropriate temperature is an additional key area. FSIS is requiring that the safe handling instructions include a rationale statement and graphic illustrations next to each of the four statements. The following sample label illustrates the four safe handling statements required on labels of products distributed to consumers. _________________________________________ Safe Handling Instructions This product was inspected for your safety. Some animal products may contain bacteria that could cause illness if the product is mishandled or cooked improperly. For your protection, follow these safe handling instructions. [ICON] Keep refrigerated or frozen. Thaw in refrigerator or microwave. [ICON] Keep raw [meats or poultry] separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces (including cutting boards), utensils, and hands after touching raw [meat or poultry]. [ICON] Cook thoroughly. [ICON] Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. _______________________________________Ô handling statements required on labels of products distributed to institutions. _________________________________________ Safe Handling Instructions This product was inspected for your safety. Some animal products may contain bacteria that could Á improperly. For your protection, follow these safe handling instructions. [ICON] Keep refrigerated or frozen. Thaw in refrigerator or microwave. [ICON] Keep raw [meats or poultry] separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces (including cutting boards), utensils, and hands after touching Á [ICON] Cook thoroughly. [ICON] Keep foods hot at 140 F or higher. Immediately after service, Á _______________________________________ The rationale statement in the sample labels is required for all products This product was prepared from inspected and passed meat. Some animal products may contain bacteria that could cause illness if the product is mishandled or cooked improperly. For your protection, follow these safe handling instructions. For food handling advice, consumers can call the FSIS Meat and Poultry Hotline from 10 am to 4 pm Eastern Time or listen to pre-recorded messages by calling 1-800-535-4555 or (202) 720-3333 in the Washington, DC, area. For additional information an mandatory safe handling instructions and other FSIS Information Office at (202) 720-9113 Ô Rm 1164-South Building 14th & Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250 #  .