Packages of hamburger and ground poultry will be required to have safe handling labels within two months, the Agriculture Department said Wednesday.
All other packages of uncooked meat and poultry will be required to carry the labels by July 6, the department said. That is also the date meat and poultry products will be have to carry nutrition labeling required by previous legislation.The department Wednesday said it sent the rules to the Federal Register for publication. The ground products will have to carry labels 60 days after the rules are published.
The department had first attempted to require the labels starting last Oct. 15, but a federal judge in Austin, Texas, struck down the rule after a lawsuit by wholesale grocers alleging the rules were improperly imposed.
Instead of referring specifically to meat or poultry, the label notes that some "food products" may contain bacteria that can cause illness unless the food is handled and cooked properly.
The label tells users to keep the product refrigerated or frozen, thaw it in a refrigerator or microwave, cook it thoroughly, and immediately refrigerate or discard leftovers.
The label also tells users to keep the raw product separate from other foods; and to wash hands, working surfaces and other utensils after they come into contact with the raw product.
The requirement followed a deadly outbreak of food poisoning caused in January 1993 by undercooked, bacterially contaminated hamburgers served at Jack-in-the-Box restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. The outbreak was caused by a rare but virulent strain, O157:H7, of the common E. coli bacteria.
But the department has noted occurrences of food poisoning from the E. coli strain and other bacteria across the country since then.
"As we move our meat and poultry systems to science-based systems and as we learn how to better detect harmful bacteria in the meat and poultry supply, we must keep the consumer aware of safe cooking and handling procedures," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.
"I want to emphasize, however, that this label does not affect our continuing responsibility to improve the meat and poultry inspection system."