Nutrition Data Nothing New to Beef Checkoff

For more than 20 years, the Beef Checkoff Program has worked with grocers on nutrition labeling programs and provided information to consumers through websites and educational materials.

So the USDA’s new rule mandating nutrition labels on cuts of meat and poultry is anything but a hurdle. “America’s cattle farmers and ranchers know the nutrients found in meat are important to a healthy diet and believe consumers will be surprised to learn beef is a good source of 10 essential nutrients,” said Meghan Pusey, PR director for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Beef checkoff-funded research has shown retailers that have implemented on-pack nutrition labeling programs have increased meat department sales; customers are also more likely to be loyal to stores that offer labeling programs.”

In preparation for implementation of the rule, proposed in 2001, the association we created the Nutrition Database for Meat and Poultry Products, based on USDA’s Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. “This new tool can serve as a great solution for accurate nutrient information needed to create nutrition labeling posters and signage,” Pusey said.

This labeling aid and other nutrition resources can be found at www.beefretail.org.

“As we navigate this new direction for the meat case, we will continue to work with our retail partners to create programs that provide efficient ways to implement the rule and promote nutritional information to consumers,” Pusey said.