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Rescission of Dual Labeling Requirements for Certain Packages of Meat and Poultry Products

FSIS Notice 61-22
Issue Date Oct 24, 2022
Expiration Date Nov 01, 2023
Full Notice
FSIS Notice 61-22
  1. PURPOSE
    This notice informs inspection program personnel (IPP) that FSIS has eliminated dual labeling requirements for certain packages of meat and poultry products. Specifically, FSIS has removed the provisions that require packages of meat or poultry products that contain at least one pound or one pint, but less than four pounds or one gallon, to express the net weight or net contents in two different units of measurement on the product label. FSIS has determined it is not necessary for labels of any meat or poultry products to bear dual statements of weight or content using more than one unit of measurement to convey the accurate weight or amount of the product to consumers.

  2. BACKGROUND

    1. On August 17, 2022, FSIS published a final rule in the Federal Register (87 FR 50553) amending its labeling regulations (9 CFR 317.2 and 381.121) to remove provisions that require packages of meat or poultry products that contain at least one pound or pint, but less than four pounds or one gallon, to express the net weight or net content in two different units of measurement on the product label. Manufacturers may now express the product’s net weight or net content as a single, accurate statement. For example, a product weighing one pound that was required to bear a net weight statement in dual declaration, i.e., “Net Wt. 16 oz. (1 lb.)” may now be labeled with a single net weight statement, e.g., “Net Wt. 1 lb.” or “Net Wt. 16 oz.” 

    2. Meat and poultry establishments are not required to change existing dual declaration labels and may decide to keep dual declarations of net weight or content if they find it more convenient. However, they are no longer required to use more than one statement of weight or content to convey the accurate weight or amount of the product on labels for consumers. 

  3. IPP RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. IPP are to be aware that there continues to be a requirement that establishments use at least one unit of measurement, as appropriate, to convey the accurate weight or amount of the product to consumers. 

    2. IPP are to be aware that metric units of measure and content are still optional and may not be used in place of the required net weight units of measure or content. When metric units are included voluntarily in the net weight or net contents statement, they should be placed after the required unit of measure or content.  ​​​

  4. QUESTIONS
    Refer questions regarding this notice to your supervisor or as needed to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question, complete the web form and select Labeling as the Inquiry Type.

    NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.