There are many regulatory agencies that have requirements to ensure standardization, safety and security in regards to meat labeling and packaging. The FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Service) is the branch of the USDA that governs meats processed in USDA plants that are shipped to retailers, distributors and wholesalers. The FSIS uses CFR 9 Section 317.2 as the regulations for packaged meat. This law is based upon the premises set forth in the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Product Inspection Act.

The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) “is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.” ¹ The NIST distributes a handbook each year that contains guidelines for labeling and packaging. Currently, all states have also adopted these standards. The most current edition of labeling standards comes from section titled: Uniform Package and Labeling Regulations, Handbook 130-2006.

Lastly, local agencies within state, county, district, parish, city, township and/or territory governments also have jurisdiction in regards to meat labeling and packaging.

When retailers and suppliers are in compliance with the standards by which these governing bodies operate, it helps achieve safety, standardization and security in the meat industry.

Below is a chart organized by package state to help understand what is and what is not required by regulatory agencies. To understand the chart, it is important to have knowledge of the different package states.

Consumer Ready products are processed, packaged and scaled in USDA plants that fall under the jurisdiction of the FSIS. Consumer ready products are shipped to retailers ready for display and to be sold. After consumer ready products are displayed by the retailer, local regulatory requirements must be followed.

Case Ready products are processed and packaged in USDA plants that also fall under the jurisdiction of the FSIS. Case ready products are shipped to the retailer already packaged and needing to be scaled. Once they are scaled by the retailer, local regulatory requirements must be followed.

Tray Ready products are processed by a supplier and shipped in bulk form in a case. Tray ready products require no retailer processing. The retailer places the product into a tray, wraps, scales with a price label and displays. Understanding the label requirements for tray ready products can be more complex. The standards of FSIS plants apply to this just as it would the consumer ready and case ready meats. However, once the meat is packaged and wrapped at the retail store, the local regulatory requirements must be followed. Some items normally required on consumer ready and case ready meats would not be required. For example, in a consumer ready package, the inspection legend and establishment number is required, but on tray ready the inspection legend and establishment number would be on the box shipped to the retailer but would no longer be required on the scale label.

Store Processed products are products that are processed, packaged and scaled by the retailer. These are commodity type and non-supplier-branded products that fall under the jurisdiction of local agencies.

Below is a table that lists the items most commonly found on a package of meat at food stores. The table is organized by package state. Click on the item links to display the details and definition of the terms.

	Meat Labeling Items Table Items Commonly Found on a Meat Label Consumer Ready Case Ready Tray Ready Store Processed Label Type/Guidelines Name (Title) of the Product Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling & scale label Identification of Meat Cut (Single Ingredient) Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling & scale label Address Line Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling & scale label Net Weight Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling & scale label Safe-Handling Instructions Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling, scale label or package Price/Lb. Yes Yes Yes Yes Scale label Total Price Yes Yes Yes Yes Scale label Food Handling Statement Yes Yes Local Local FSIS required labeling Nutritional Statement (Multi-Ingredient) Yes Yes Local Local FSIS required labeling Nutritional Statement (Single-Ingredient) Yes Yes Yes Yes FSIS required labeling Ingredients Statement Local Local Local Local FSIS if it contains 2 or more ingredients Inspection Legend and Establishment Number Yes Yes No No FSIS required labeling Grades Local Local Local Local Party placing the grade has the burden of proof Claims Local Local Local Local Party placing statement has the burden of proof "Sell-By" or "Use-By" Date Local Local Local Local Optional or locally regulated Tare Local Local Local Local Optional or locally regulated Marketing Information/Logos/Graphics No No No No Optional information placed on the package COOL N/R/Y N/R/Y N/R/Y N/R/Y Not mandatory yet Legend Mark Definition Yes In Agreement/Required No Not in Agreement or Standard Does Not Apply Local The Jurisdiction Resides with State, County, District, Parish, City, Township or Territory Governments N/R/Y Not Regulated Yet

By understanding what is required to be on the package of meat, we gain a top-line perspective of how URMIS fits into the meat labeling system. We can see that not only does the URMIS system help eliminate consumer confusion, but it also fulfills two different mandates of the law, having the product name [9 CFR 317.2 and Section 3.1 in the NIST Handbook] on the package and having the meat cut identified [9 CFR 317.344]. Many times URMIS is overlooked as this solution.

For further research and information please see the following websites:

• For 9CFR 317: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/9CF317.html
• For NIST Current Handbook: http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/h130-06.cfm

For further information regarding Legal Acts please see information below:

	Act Website Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/fdcact/fdctoc.htm Fair Packaging and Labling Act http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/fplact.htm Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/nleatxt.html Meat and Poultry Product Inspection Act http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Poultry_Products_Inspection_Act/index.asp Federal Meat Inspection Act http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/meat.htm The Sanitary Food Transportation Act http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/sftact.htm Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act 2004 http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alrgact.html

References:
1. http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/general2.htm