Perdue Farm’s petition has generated many responses

The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) petition on behalf of Perdue Farms LLC, filed on March 16, 2023, has generated many responses.

The petition requests that FSIS establish rules to define separate “free-range” and “pasture-raised” claims for meat and poultry products. The petition also requests that FSIS update its guidance on allegations involving living/parenting conditions to ensure that the allegations align with consumer expectations.

Over the past year, however, Perdue’s petition received an almost entirely positive response from the Cornucopia Institute, Joe’s Farm, the American Grassfed Association, Farm Forward, the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association, Compassion in World Farming USA and the United Egg Association.

In addition, comments were submitted by Walden Local, Primal Pastures, Leaping Bear Farms, the U.S. Congress, Organic Valley, the Food Industry Association and Vital and Wormuth Farms.

A Greener World says: “Please accept the following comments in response to the petition filed by Perdue Farms, LLC (Petition 23-03), requesting that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) establish rules to separate “” claims about free range” and “pasture raised” for meat and poultry products and that FSIS update its guidance on living/rearing condition claims to ensure claims align with consumer expectations.”

She also makes the following points:

“Regarding this petition, A Greener World requests that FSIS respond by issuing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule-making (ANPR), allowing input from the broad group of stakeholders potentially affected by changes to these claims. standards and certification procedures address pasture management holistically through a comprehensive assessment of management practices including forage and water quality, physical changes, suitability of the breed for pasture-based management, handling, socialization and responsible use of medical treatments.”

“We maintain that all claims about pasture-raised meat and poultry products should be clearly defined and verified by third-party audits and certifications to ensure transparency and consistency. In any case, such as globally recognized certifications that require pasture-oriented management, Certified Animal Welfare.”

Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW, Certified Regenerative by AGW, and Certified Non-GMO by AGW should all be valid documentation for a “pastured” claim.

“It is widely recognized that ‘free range’ is not synonymous with – and cannot be equated with – ‘pasture’. More clarity is therefore urgently needed for both claims. We therefore support the USDA’s efforts to pursue that clarity in a manner that meets consumer expectations and maintains transparency and high levels of animal welfare, conducted in an open and informed process with robust public engagement and stakeholder consultation . In the context of increasing public concern about the impact of their food choices on the environment and animal welfare, concerted efforts to ensure meaningful definitions for valuable label claims will not only avoid consumer confusion due to misleading claims, but also protect farmers through a common and implement transparent policies. meaning.”

A Greener World asks that its comments be accepted “on behalf of the thousands of exceptional farmers and conscientious consumers with whom we work.”

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