Consumers upset by change in meat labeling

WASHINGTON – Some consumers were upset and confused after a change in the way meat products are labeled at some stores. Now, a large grocery company is left cleaning up the mess.

The new blue labels on “Butcher Shop” meat say “USDA Graded,” but they don’t indicate the grade.

The USDA grades meat using three categories. “Prime” cut meats are the highest quality in flavor and juiciness, followed by “Choice” cut meats. Whereas, “Select” indicates a less flavorful, lower quality cut.

The new labels started popping up in Ahold USA stores a couple of weeks ago, including Giant and Martin’s grocery stores.

Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says the labels are misleading, and compared them to a school report card, “Can you imagine them doing that in grammar school? Telling parents their kid was graded, but not telling them what the grades are. It’s ridiculous.”

All meat and poultry must be USDA-inspected. More than 90 percent of manufacturers, including Ahold USA, also pay for an optional USDA grade.

Larry Meadows, associate deputy administrator with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, says the agency initially approved the new “USDA graded” labels in September, but later told Ahold USA they must be more transparent and list the grades.

“We determined the

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