Poultry labeling regulations: what producers need to know

Updated label regulations aim to provide peace of mind to the consumer

Updated USDA meat and poultry labeling regulations are changing how producers are raising chickens and turkeys. According to Debbie Nece, Regulatory Affairs Director, Cargill, at the 2017 IPPE, these new regulations require producers to verify animal raising claims, such as antibiotic free, which involves more farm audits and documentation from the hatchery to finished flocks.

“The consumer is a little unsure about some of these [label] claims, [and] the USDA wants make sure that the consumer is comfortable with these claims and that there is some validation truly being done,” Nece said in an interview with WATTAgNet.

Additional audits and documentation now required

“If you’re making a no-antibiotic claim, [USDA will] be checking the farms, checking your paperwork, to see if any antibiotics have truly been given to those flocks, but they will also be checking the hatchery to see if there [have] been any injections that have gone into the eggs.”

When chickens and turkeys do get sick, they will need to be pulled from the flock, so that those which have been treated with antibiotics are no longer with the rest of the antibiotic-free flock.

“USDA’s going to want to look at that documentation and make sure you do truly have a segregation in place,” Nece said.

Giving the consumer peace of mind

Nece said these updated regulations are being carried out for the consumer; to give them peace of mind in knowing that poultry producers are providing products that meet label claims.