ARS | Publication request: USDA nutrient data set for beef cuts, release 2.0

Submitted to: Home Page
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: September 28, 2011
Publication Date: September 28, 2011
Citation: Patterson, K.K., Holden, J.M., Howe, J.C., Duvall, M., Bhagwat, S. 2011. USDA nutrient data set for beef cuts, release 2.0. Available: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=18961.

Interpretive Summary: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), in collaboration with the beef industry and various universities, has conducted several research studies designed to update or expand the data on beef cuts in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). These studies have not only generated current and accurate estimates of beef data to update SR, but the study results are incorporated into a data set that can be used for nutrient labeling of beef products. NDL has developed a reference called the USDA Nutrient Data Set for Beef Cuts Release 2.0 which presents label-ready beef data in an easily usable table format. The USDA Nutrient Data Set for Beef Cuts Release 2.0 is an updated version of the previous Release 1.0 containing additional beef cuts. This publication will provide the beef industry and others with easy access to current and accurate data to comply with USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed label regulations for fresh, single-ingredient beef cuts. The FSIS is the public health agency responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. The tables and the documentation are available on the internet, http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=18961.

Technical Abstract: The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), in collaboration with beef industry and various universities, has conducted three different research studies designed to update or expand the data on beef cuts in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). This research has been necessary due to continuous changes in animal husbandry practices, and industry procedures that have led to the availability of leaner cuts, as well as the marketing of cuts not previously available. Analytical data generated from these studies have been incorporated into nutrient values for beef cuts in SR. Data from the following studies are included: the 1/8 Inch Study where the composition of beef cuts with different fat trims were studied; the Beef Value Cuts (BVC) Study that investigated the composition of new single muscle cuts that were available in the marketplace; and the Beef Nutrient Database Improvement Study Phase I (NDI Phase 1) designed to update nutrient data for some existing cuts and to add data for some new cuts. The data from these three studies were arranged into a table format, referred to as The USDA Nutrient Data Set for Beef Cuts Release 2.0, to provide industry and others an easily accessible reference for nutrient information on selected beef cuts. The USDA Nutrient Data Set for Beef Cuts Release 2.0 is an updated version of the previous Release 1.0 containing additional beef cuts. Depending on the beef cut, the data set includes various choices such as grade (choice or select), lean-only data or lean and fat data, and raw and cooked forms. Also included are the source codes, showing the data sources, and the number of data points for each nutrient. The table format will give the beef industry a useful tool to comply with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed labeling regulations for fresh, single-ingredient meats which take effect January 1, 2012. The tables and the documentation are available on the internet, http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=18961.