| • | Less fat: Since 1992, USDA beef is 85 percent lean as compared to commercial standard ground meat, which is 70 percent lean. In the 1980s, most USDA beef products contained an average of 24 percent fat. Since 1992, schools have had the option of ordering beef patties with a fat level as low as 10 percent. USDA consistently offers a lower fat turkey taco filling, frozen diced chicken, 97 percent lean ham and 95 percent lean turkey ham. Currently, USDA is evaluating a 95 percent lean beef patty for use in schools. |
USDA takes other steps to lower fat in foods:
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USDA offers part skim milk mozzarella and several types of reduced-fat and light cheese, e.g., reduced-fat process cheese and light shredded mozzarella cheese. |
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To manufacture a leaner finished poultry product, processors are substituting lean meat for skin and fat in processed poultry products. |
| • | Trans fats were eliminated from frozen potato products effective with the 2008 school year, and a fat-free potato wedge was added to the “Foods Available List” effective with the 2010 school year. |
| • | Shortening was eliminated as an ordering option effective with the 2008 school year. |
| • | Butter was eliminated as an ordering option for schools in 1997. |
| • | USDA Foods represent a wide spectrum of convenient products. School districts and states can select from a wide variety of USDA foods that match their needs. In 1981, USDA offered schools 54 food products. Today, more than 180 food products are offered. In addition, USDA now offers more frozen, fresh and refrigerated products, more package sizes, and more varieties of specific foods. In response to customer demand, chicken is now offered diced, cut up, as fajita strips, and in bulk for reprocessing. |
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| • | “In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). Individuals who are hearing-impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal-opportunity provider and employer.” |
Juanita Bisig, Food Service Director
Susan Wittenauer, Food Service Assistant