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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
Congressional and Public Affairs
Katrine Pritchard (202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has published a final rule that requires the labeling of natural sausage casings if they are derived from a different type of meat or poultry than the sausage. FSIS will also require that labels indicate if sausages are made with regenerated collagen casings. The rule, published in yesterday’s Federal Register, takes effect on Sept. 5, 2001.
The rule mandates that companies producing, manufacturing, or using natural casings must maintain records identifying the source of the sausage casings. Records documenting the source of regenerated collagen casings are not required.
This rule facilitates increased consumer awareness of product ingredients. Full disclosure of the origin of sausage casings will help consumers to make more informed choices about the sausage products they purchase.
FSIS estimates that the cost of implementing this rule will be low. Manufacturers will be able to use generically approved labels to indicate the source of the natural sausage casings and the development of new labels may be deferred until current supplies are exhausted.
For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460