Exam 4: Branding and "Certification" of Meat Products

Question 1

What are the 8 required features of a label?

Answer 1

1. Product name (primary)
2. Inspection legend and establishment number (primary or secondary)
3. Handling statement (primary or secondary)
4. Net weight statement (primary)
5. Ingredients statement (primary or secondary)
6. Address line (primary or secondary)
7. Nutrtion facts (primary or secondary)
8. Safe handling instructions (primary or secondary)

Primary refers to the primary label (front)
Secondary refers to the secondary label (back)

Question 2

What’s the difference between a handling statement and safe handling instructions?

Answer 2

Handling statement
* Keep Frozen
* Keep Refrigerated
* Keep Frozen or Refrigerated

Safe Handling Instructions
* Wash hands, keep raw food separate from cooked foods, etc.

Question 3

What is a processing aid?

Answer 3

Anything that …
* Doesn’t have a lasting effect on the product
* Can’t add more than 0.5% weight

Question 4

Certified programs

Answer 4

“G” schedules
* Must be able to be applied at the plant
* Usually quality based

CAB

Question 5

Process Verified Programs

Answer 5

Reach back into production

• USDA Organic
• USDA Certified Tender

Question 6

Affidavit Based Programs

Answer 6

• Encompasses a majority of what is in the marketplace
• Firms must present the claims and supporting documentation for label approval

Supporting Documentation
* Affidavit
* Program SOPs
* Producer Training Materials and Manuals
* Internal and 3rd Party Audit Schemes and Results
* Verification Testing (e.g., physical, chemical and genetic testing)

Question 7

What is natural?

Answer 7

Practiced based (Zero meaning)
Nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in
that food

FDA definition

Natural does not indicate:
* Food safety
* Rasing condition
* Diet
* Technology use

Question 8

USDA Certified Organic

Answer 8

Federally Regulated
* Requires that grazing contribute 30% or more of the animal’s total feed intake, except during the finishing period
* Does not allow subtherapeutic antibiotics, growth promoters, or continuous confinement
* Animals must be fed organic feed

70% or more organic

Question 9

Grass-fed

Answer 9

Generally, refers to an animal that is raised from birth to harvest on a forage-only diet, without grain or grain byproducts, and with access to pasture