History
Since its inception in 1973, the Uniform Retail Meat Identity Standards system (URMIS) has been widely accepted as the source for meat cut nomenclature. URMIS is a science-based, identification system that provides the meat industry with standard nomenclature for all beef, pork, lamb, and veal cuts.
Research
In 2012, consumer research was conducted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the beef checkoff, and the National Pork Board (NPB). The results from the consumer research suggested the need to review current meat cut nomenclature to determine if it appropriately supported consumer needs. It was ultimately determined that, in order to be useful to consumers shopping for and preparing fresh meat products, the URMIS system required a major overhaul.
Results
The NCBA and the NPB worked closely with the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service and the Food Safety and Inspection Service to update the entire URMIS system. URMIS 2014 continues to support the original foundation of URMIS, but it now also incorporates changes made in product-processing, identifying, labeling, cooking, and tracking meat cuts. The resulting updated standards will serve as a platform for all meat segments to move toward a consumer-friendly meat nomenclature system and adopt business practices that are focused on the consumer.
Online Version includes: easy-to-access information; easy-to-navigate links and tabs; searchability using find feature; cut definitions; updated glossary | |
Downloadable PDF Version includes: soft copy easily accessed, saved or printed; easy-to-navigate section bookmarks and links; searchability using find feature; cut definitions; updated glossary | |
Printable Version includes: convenient printable version with default print settings when a hard copy is needed |