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  fresh (poultry)
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LABEL REPORT CARD
How meaningful is the label? Is the label verified? Is the meaning of the label consistent? Are the label standards publicly available? Is information about the organization publicly available? Is the organization free from conflict of interest? Was the label developed with broad public and industry input?
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1. Poultry can freeze within the acceptable temperature range for the fresh label.
 
LABEL CATEGORY:
General Claims
 
WHERE YOU'LL FIND THIS GENERAL CLAIM:

 FOOD
  • MEAT : chicken
    •  
     
    WHAT THIS GENERAL CLAIM MEANS:
    The "fresh" claim is regulated by the USDA (for poultry) to mean that any raw poultry product has not been cooled below 24 degrees fahrenheit.
     
    CONSUMERS UNION EVALUATION:
    How meaningful is the label?
    The "fresh" claim on poultry is barely meaningful and potentially deceptive to Consumers. Fresh is a general claim that implies a food product has not been frozen, processed or preserved. However, USDA rules allow chicken which has been labeled as fresh to be stored to temperatures as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees below freezing). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the use of fresh on fruits and vegetables has a different and much better definition. The FDA defines fresh on these products as "a food that is raw, has never been frozen or heated, and contains no preservatives."

    Is the label verified?
    Yes, the USDA has inspectors in plants to check that "fresh" label requirements are met.

    Is the meaning of the label consistent?
    No, there is wide variability in how much poultry can be cooled in order to be labeled as "fresh."

    Are the label standards publicly available?
    Yes

    Is information about the organization publicly available?
    Yes

    Is the organization free from conflict of interest?
    Yes, they have no board of directors and receive no external funding and do not stand to profit from the use of the label.

    Was the label developed with broad public and industry input?
    Yes
     
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