New FSIS Guidelines on Environmental Labeling Claims : Key Points | DLA Piper

The USDA s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has updated guidelines effective August 2024 to address substantiation of animal-raising and environmental claims on meat and poultry product labels. These guidelines aim to prevent greenwashing by ensuring companies provide supporting documentation or third-party certification for claims like sustainably farmed, carbon neutral, and humanely raised. Key points include: 1. Purpose and scope: FSIS expects companies to substantiate animal welfare, pedigree, and environmental claims with documentation or third-party certification. 2. Types of claims covered: Environmental claims require substantial documentation, including environmental data or studies. Animal welfare claims must be backed by detailed documentation and third-party certification. Breed claims must be supported by evidence of the animal s breed. Diet claims require documentation of the animal s diet from birth to slaughter. Living or raising conditions claims must be substantiated with documentation. Negative antibiotics use claims should be supported by sampling programs or third-party certifiers. Organic claims must comply with USDA organic regulations and be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. 3. Greenwashing mitigation: FSIS encourages companies to obtain third-party certification and amass environmental data or studies to support their claims. 4. Implications for organizations: Companies should ensure comprehensive documentation, consider retaining credible third-party certifiers, be transparent in labeling practices, and regularly review and update compliance procedures to align with FSIS guidelines. By adhering to these guidelines, organizations can build consumer trust and avoid potential legal and reputational risks associated with misleading labeling practices.

Source: jdsupra.com
Published on 2024-09-21

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