DeLauro Applauds Final Added Solutions Rule

Urges Administration to Finalize Mechanically Tenderized Beef Rule

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today applauded the Obama Administration's final rule regarding added solutions in meat and poultry products. She also urged the Administration to finalize the Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products rule before the end of the year. If that deadline is not met it will be delayed until at least 2018, due to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements on labeling meat and poultry products.

“I am pleased with today’s announcement that the Administration has finalized the Added Solutions rule. As families sit down to celebrate the new year they may be unaware their ham, turkey or roast contains a solution with added sodium. Consumers will now benefit from clear labeling to and be better able to make informed decisions for their families, particularly if they are concerned about the amount of sodium or potassium in their diets.

“I urge OMB to follow quickly with a finalized Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products rule. These products are not currently adequately labeled so consumers do not know that they are different, present different risks, and require different preparation than whole cuts of beef. This is not a small problem: a 2008 USDA study indicated that about 50 million pounds of mechanically tenderized beef products are sold every month. The Administration must act quickly to address this so American consumers will not be left in the dark for another three years.”

On November 24, 2014, Congresswoman DeLauro sent a letter pushing the Administration to finalize both rules before December 31. The letter can be read in its entirety here.

In her letter, DeLauro also pointed out the unacceptably long time that both rules have been under consideration. USDA raised the issue of properly labeling mechanically tenderized beef as far back as 2008. The issues surrounding added solutions were brought to USDA’s attention nearly a decade ago.


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