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USDA Food Labeling Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book tells food manufacturers how foods should be labeled based on how products are prepared and packaged. The book spells out the labeling requirements for ground beef, poultry, cheese products, baby food, cereal and much more. The guide also may serve as an educational tool for conscientious consumers.

  1. Ground Beef

    • The USDA restricts the amount of total fat in meats to no more than 30 percent. No added fat is allowed. Cow cheek meat is allowed up to a limit of 25 percent and must be declared in the ingredients statement. Heart meat and tongue meat are not allowed in chopped beef, ground beef or hamburger.

    Poultry Additives

    • According to the USDA, "water and/or oil based solutions may be added to raw poultry and poultry parts at various levels with an appropriate qualifying statement to the product name." Processors are required to include labels that reflect the amount of water or oil added. A label may read "Injected with up to 10 percent of a solution of water, salt, and phosphates."

    Cheese Products

    • The USDA requires that a product must contain cheese when cheese is declared as an ingredient. Cheese food products such as cheese spreads are not considered a cheese, and are not to be used in meat products that have cheese listed as an ingredient.

    Baby Food

    • No wine, mechanically separated meat or poultry, nitrites or nitrates are allowed in baby and toddler foods. The USDA also specifies the minimum percentage of meat allowed in these foods. For instance, poultry and rice must contain no less than 5 percent of cooked boneless poultry meat.

    Cereal

    • Since cereal is a generic term used for grains (e.g. rice, corn, wheat), according to the USDA, all ingredients within a cereal or other grain product must be listed individually by their common name.

    The Terms "New" and "Improved"

    • The USDA states that terms such as "now," "new" or "improved" may be used for 6 months from the date of the initial approval for usage unless processors can provide evidence that they meet USDA criteria for an extension. The criteria includes situations where test marketing is needed before full distribution starts.

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