'Natural' label to be re-examined by the Department of Agriculture

At the very least, Hormel Foods Corp. is reheating a controversy. The company wants tighter, more uniform labeling rules, and suggested that some firms may "manipulate exceptions" to the current requirements.

Other companies could oppose stricter guidelines. Potentially, producers, processors and consumers may all have to adjust to new meanings for a seemingly simple word.

"We certainly agree there needs to be more clarity when it comes to use of the word `natural,'" said Bill Mattos, president of the Modesto-based California Poultry Federation. "The rules may need to be updated; they certainly don't need to be loosened."

On Tuesday, the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced it would begin reconsidering the rules governing use of the word "natural." The current rules were set in 1982, prompting Hormel and Agriculture Department officials to wonder whether they needed updating in light of new technology.

To continue reading this article please click here

Source: Mercury News

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Latest Poultry Industry News

•   BIRD FLU: Indonesia Hopes to Settle Agreement; Idaho Bird Farm Quarantined After Virus Found
•   New General Manager for Aviagen
•   UK Firm May Rescue Cappoquin
•   USAPEEC Donates to China Earthquake Relief
•   CME: US Broiler Sector in the Limelight
•   Indian Chicken Price Slashed
•   USDA Funds More Work on PRRS and Bird Flu
•   Govt. Urged to Exempt Poultry Sector L/C Margin
•   Mexico Suspends Beef and Poultry Shipments to US
•   New Layer Unit Goes Ahead