Am I just missing it or has the chicken grading ceased? I looked the other day on Pilgrim Pride, Smart, and golden plump brand chickens and never found a USDA GRADE A designation. All I could see was an inspected logo (bug). Anyone else know about this?
We received some jumbo pack clear wrapped Pilgrim Pride parts that have Grade A on them, whew thouight I was losing my mind. Sure is tough when you get old....lol
Inspection is mandatory, but grading is voluntary. Chickens are graded according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's regulations and standards for meatiness, appearance, and freedom from defects. Grade A chickens have plump, meaty bodies and clean skin, free of bruises, broken bones, feathers, cuts, and discoloration.
Fresh or Frozen
The term fresh on a poultry label refers to any raw poultry product that has never been held below 26 °F (-3.3 C). Raw poultry held at 0 °F (-17.8 °C) or below must be labeled frozen or previously frozen. No specific labeling is required on raw poultry stored at temperatures between 0 and 25 °F (-17.8 °C and -3.9 °C).
It's just like red meat. Ungraded product is generally cheaper from wholesale. Quality is hit or miss. I've had some good luck with no-roll beef and had some bad luck as well.
Thanks for the help to clear up the confusion. Seems the USDA have cut back so many inspection regulations that we as meatcutters can hardly keep up with them.
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