Target seeks label move for treated meat

Discount retailer Target Corp is seeking government approval to add a consumer warning to labels of meat treated with carbon monoxide to keep it looking red and fresh, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Target, which sells packaged meat in 210 of its 1,537 stores, sent a letter Friday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking permission to add a warning to meat labels, the Journal said. According to the Journal, the proposed label states: "Consumer Notice: Carbon monoxide has been used to preserve the color of this product. Do not rely on color or the 'use or freeze by' date alone to judge the freshness of the product. For best results please follow the Safe Handling Instructions."

Steve - it is nice to see a corporation with a conscience. The meat industry is fighting tooth and nail to avoid this kind of labeling. Consumer groups are arguing that without labeling, consumers will be mislead when purchasing meat that looks fresh (red color), but is indeed old.