In the April 13, 2016, Federal Register, USDA's FSIS issued a final rule amending the definition and standard of identity for the "roaster" or "roasting chicken" poultry class to better reflect the characteristics of roaster chickens in the market today. Due to genetic changes and management techniques that have reduced the grow-out period and increased the ready-to-cook ("RTC") weight for roasters, FSIS is amending the "roaster" definition to remove the eight-week minimum age criterion and increase the RTC carcass weight from 5 pounds to 5.5 pounds. The rule is effective January 1, 2018.
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