USDA delays implementation of poultry product labeling regulations

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is delaying the effective date of the final regulations that require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products and ground or chopped meat and poultry products that were published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010. The original effective date of these regulations was January 1, 2012; the new date is March 1, 2012. The FSIS is taking this action in response to a request from eight trade associations, which requested that the FSIS exercise enforcement discretion for a six-month period following the January 1, 2012, effective date of the final rule. However, the FSIS has concluded that a two-month delay in the effective date will allow the industry sufficient time to comply with the requirements of the final rule.