Petition to require accurate and non-misleading labeling on meat processed with non-synthetic nitrates and nitrites
Submitted to USDA's food safety and inspection service by CSPI and consumer reports
The Center for Science in the Public Interest and Consumer Reports (the Petitioners) respectfully submit this petition asking that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) clarify the labeling of processed meats. Specifically, we ask that the agency cease requiring that such products be labeled as “Uncured,” and/or “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added*” when they have been processed using non-synthetic sources of nitrate and nitrite, such as celery powder, rather than traditional synthetic sources, such as sodium nitrite.