[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR102.26]

[Page 179]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                          SERVICES (CONTINUED)
 
PART 102_COMMON OR USUAL NAME FOR NONSTANDARDIZED FOODS--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart B_Requirements for Specific Nonstandardized Foods
 
Sec.  102.26  Frozen ``heat and serve'' dinners.

    (a) A frozen ``heat and serve'' dinner:
    (1) Shall contain at least three components, one of which shall be a 
significant source of protein and each of which shall consist of one or 
more of the following: meat, poultry, fish, cheese, eggs, vegetables, 
fruit, potatoes, rice, or other cereal based products (other than bread 
or rolls).
    (2) May also contain other servings of food (e.g., soup, bread or 
rolls, beverage, dessert).
    (b) The common or usual name of the food consists of all of the 
following:
    (1) The phrase ``frozen `heat and serve' dinner,'' except that the 
name of the predominant characterizing ingredient or other appropriately 
descriptive term may immediately precede the word ``dinner'' (e.g., 
``frozen chicken dinner'' or ``frozen heat and serve beef dinner''). The 
words ``heat and serve'' are optional. The word ``frozen'' is also 
optional, provided that the words ``Keep Frozen'' or the equivalent are 
prominently and conspicuously placed on the principal display panel in 
type size not less than that specified in Sec.  102.5(b)(2)(i).
    (2) The phrase ``containing (or contains) ------'' the blank to be 
filled in with an accurate description of each of the three or more dish 
components listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in their order of 
descending predominance by weight (e.g., ham, mashed potatoes, and 
peas), followed by any of the other servings specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section contained in the package (e.g., onion soup, 
enriched white bread, and artificially flavored vanilla pudding) in 
their order of descending predominance by weight. This part of the name 
shall be placed immediately following or directly below the part 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section in the manner set forth in 
Sec.  102.5(c)(3). The words ``contains'' or ``containing'' are 
optional.
    (3) If the labeling implies that the package contains other foods 
and these foods are not present in the package, e.g., if a vignette on 
the package depicts a ``serving suggestion'' which includes any foods 
not present in the package, the principal display panel shall bear a 
statement that such foods are not present, in type size not less than 
that specified in Sec.  102.5(b)(2)(i).