Focus on: Sausages

Focus on: Sausages:

Definition of Fresh Sausages

Fresh sausages are a coarse or finely comminuted meat food product prepared from one or more kinds of meat, or meat and meat byproducts. They may contain water not exceeding 3% of the total ingredients in the product. They are usually seasoned, frequently cured, and may contain binders and extenders. They must be kept refrigerated and thoroughly cooked before eating.

Content of Fresh Sausages

• Fresh Pork Sausages – May not contain pork byproducts and no more than 50% fat by weight.
• Fresh Beef Sausages – May not include beef byproducts and no more than 30% fat by weight.
• Breakfast Sausages – May contain meat and meat byproducts and no more than 50% fat by weight.
• Whole Hog Sausage – Meat from swine in such proportions as are normal to a single animal and no more than 50% fat by weight.
• Italian Sausage Products – Cured or uncured sausages containing at least 85% meat, or a combination of meat and fat, with the total fat content constituting not more than 35% of the finished product. It contains salt, pepper, fennel and/or anise and no more than 3% water. Optional ingredients permitted in Italian Sausages are spices (including paprika) and flavorings, red or green peppers, onions, garlic and parsley, sugar, dextrose and corn syrup.