Meat products to get nutritional info.

From WebMD:

Important nutritional facts aimed at helping consumers know more about what they’re eating will be required on labels of 40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry under a new rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The rule, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2012, requires nutritional labels on the meat and poultry packages to list the number of calories, grams of total fat, and saturated fat.

In addition, says a news release from the USDA, products will be required to list a lean percentage statement on labels, such as “76% lean,” and also the cut’s fat percentage, making it easier for consumers to understand the amounts of lean protein and fat in the packages they are considering buying.

The USDA says food panels will give consumers the information they need to determine the nutrient content of the cuts of meat and poultry they see in stores, helping them develop a healthy diet to meet individual or family needs.

“More and more, busy American families want nutrition information that they can quickly and easily understand,” Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack says in a news release. “We need to do all we can to provide nutrition labels that will help consumers make informed choices.”

He says the USDA will “work hard to provide the dietary guidelines for Americans every five years,” and that the new rule will give consumers informational guides.

Major cuts of raw, single-ingredient meat and poultry products include whole or boneless chicken breasts and other pieces of chicken, and beef whole cuts such as tenderloin steak or brisket, according to the USDA. Examples of chopped meat and poultry products include ground turkey and hamburger.