ORGANIC LABELING CLAIM ALLOWED ON MEAT AND POULTRY
PRODUCTS
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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