7-14 news: FSIS proposes new “roaster,†“roasting chicken†definitions and standards
FSIS proposed this definition and standard in its September 29, 2003, proposed rule to amend the definitions and standards for the official U.S. classes of poultry.
FSIS has tentatively concluded that a "roaster" or "roasting chicken" should be defined as a chicken with an ready-to-cook (RTC) carcass weight of 5 pounds or more, based on recent survey information from the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS). In addition, FSIS has tentatively concluded that RTC carcass weight, instead of average live weight, is necessary in the class standard and definition so that FSIS can verify the appropriate use of the term "roaster" or "roasting chicken" on product labels.