Dive Summary:
- The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) set Jan. 1, 2016 as the date for mandatory and universal compliance of any new labeling regulations finalized in the next two years.
- The FSIS has implored companies to voluntarily comply with the regulations as soon as they can, making it much easier and less costly for both the agency and the companies themselves.
- Although not directly outlined yet, the agency has hinted at upcoming labeling regulations to better inform the consumer.
From the article:
WASHINGTON—USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) set Jan. 1, 2016, as the uniform compliance date for new meat and poultry product labeling regulations issued between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2014. The final rule was effective Dec. 31, 2012; comments are due on or before Jan. 30, 2013.
The new uniform compliance date will apply only to final FSIS regulations that require changes in the labeling of meat and poultry products and that are published after Jan. 1, 2013, and before Dec. 31, 2014. All meat and poultry food products that are subject to labeling regulations promulgated between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2014, will be required to comply with the regulations when introduced into commerce on or after Jan. 1, 2016. If any food labeling regulation involves special circumstances that justify a compliance date other than Jan. 1, 2016, FSIS will determine an appropriate compliance date and will publish that compliance date in the rulemaking.
FSIS encourages meat and poultry companies to comply with new labeling regulations as soon as feasible. If companies initiate voluntary label changes, they should consider incorporating any new requirements that have been published as final regulations.
