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In a surprise move, (a surprise to me, at least), the USDA has proposed a useful labeling change in the way that "adulterated" meat and poultry products are named. The term "adulterated", (meaning contaminated), is mine, and is generally not used by either USDA or processors, in describing such products, (though it obviously should be).
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usd ... donly=trueUSDA Announces Proposed Rule to Better Label Raw Meat and Poultry Containing Added Solutions
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing a new rule to establish common, easy-to-understand names for raw meat and poultry products that include injections, marinades, or have otherwise incorporated added solutions which may not be visible to the consumer. FSIS has determined that some labels do not clearly identify if a solution has been added to a raw product to enhance flavor or texture. As a result, consumers may be purchasing raw meat and poultry products with higher sodium content than they realize. The agency invites comments on the proposed rule, which is intended to clarify these products' labels so consumers can easily distinguish them from raw meat and poultry that do not contain added solutions.
"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 Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen. "It has become evident that some raw meat and poultry labels, even those that follow our current guidelines, may not be clear."
Currently, raw meat and poultry products that contain added solutions such as water, teriyaki sauce, salt, or a mixture thereof may have the same name on their labels as products that do not contain added solutions. For example, a single-ingredient chicken breast and a chicken breast with added solution both may be labeled as "chicken breast," even though one package contains purely chicken breast and one may be comprised of 60 percent chicken breast and 40 percent solution. While the label of the chicken breast with added solution must state that it contains solution, consumers may not notice such information if it is not a part of the product's name. An example of a product name under the proposed rule would be: "chicken breast - 40% added solution of water and teriyaki sauce."
Here's their advance notice in the Federal Register:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRP ... 0-0012.pdf
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