Release No. 0015.99
Press Contact: Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
Public Contact: Beth Gaston (202) 720-9113
ORGANIC LABELING CLAIM ALLOWED ON MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that certain meat and poultry products will be allowed to carry a
label indicating that they are certified organic.
"This announcement means more information -- and more choice -- for
American consumers," said Glickman. "It will help organic family farmers and
ranchers further expand their already growing markets."
Meat and poultry products will be labeled "certified organic by (name of
the
certifying entity)" if processors seek prior label approval from USDA's Food
Safety and Inspection Service and the claim meets certain basic criteria.
Specifically, to use the claim in labeling, processors will need to show that
products have been certified as organic by an authority or entity that
certifies products as "organically" produced. That entity must have standards
that define "organically produced" and a system for ensuring that products it
certifies meet those standards. There are 33 private and 11 state organic
certification entities, as well as a number of smaller entities that provide
self-certification.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is currently revising its proposal
standardizing use of the term "organic." This proposal will be available for
public comment before it becomes final. But today's announcement means that
meat and poultry products can be labeled as organic in the interim. Fruits,
vegetables and other products are already permitted to carry an organic label
if they meet standards set by independent certifying agents.
The new policy is effective immediately. More information for producers
is available on the FSIS homepage at www.fsis.usda.gov and from the Labeling
and Additives Policy Division at (202) 205-0279.
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