[July 22, 2011] Foster Farms gets favorable ruling from USDA on chicken labeling Tweet Jul 22, 2011 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Foster Farms scored a victory Thursday in its bid have rivals better disclose the additives in their poultry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a rule on labeling for poultry and other raw meat products that contain saltwater, broth and other substances aimed at enhancing flavor and texture. The rule would require "common, easy-to-understand terms" so consumers know what they are getting, said a news release from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Foster Farms, based in Livingston, had objected to certain out-of-state companies using the word "natural" on such products. These labels could mislead people into consuming too much sodium, according to Foster Farms, which has mostly additive-free items in its product line. "We are pleased to see this labeling issue get the attention it deserves," marketing director Ira Brill said in a news release. "Consumers should know what they are buying, and at Foster Farms, we believe that 'natural' labeled chicken should be just that - fresh, raw chicken, not chicken loaded with saltwater and additives that's been trucked across the country to your grocery store." The agency will accept comments on the proposed rule for 60 days, then make a final decision. Defenders of the current labeling have said the additives come from natural sources, such as seaweed, and that many consumers like their chicken this way. According to the USDA, about one-third of poultry, 15 percent of beef and 90 percent of pork may have added ingredients -- about 40 percent of all raw, whole cuts of meat. The rule does not apply to ground beef, which may have other added substances. "Consumers should be able to make an informed choice in the store, which is why we need to provide clear, informative labels that will help consumers make the best decisions about feeding their families," said Elisabeth Hagen, head of food safety at the USDA. Labels now say that the meat contains added solutions or is "enhanced," but they may not be visible to consumers or understandable. If the rule is finalized, the label would have to be part of the product title. An example is "chicken breast -- 40 percent added solution of water and teriyaki sauce," according to the USDA. The California Poultry Federation, based in Modesto, praised the proposed rule. "California's poultry industry, led by family-owned Foster Farms, initiated the process of changing these misleading labels about three or more years ago," president Bill Mattos said by e-mail. "Today we are delighted that this new rule is finally announced and finds the support of Sen. Boxer, members of the Congress and a host of consumer groups." Red meat processors immediately objected to the rule. The American Meat Institute called it "wasteful" and "unnecessary" and said it would raise prices for consumers. The proposed rule is at www.fsis.usda.gov Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at [email protected] or (209) 578-2385. To see more of The Modesto Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.modbee.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Modesto Bee, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]