PART 5:    Egg and Egg Products
Section 5:  Reinspection of Egg Products


I. Policy

The reinspection of imported egg products at U.S. Ports-of-Entry, and Destination locations assesses the effectiveness of a foreign government’s inspection system and ensures that only wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled products enter U.S. commerce. FSIS is given the responsibility to randomly select samples of imported egg products and perform the following appropriate types of reinspection activities, including organoleptic examination, test weights, documents review, labeling, and laboratory analysis.

II. Cancellation


III. Required Documents

5200-8, Import Request Egg Products- CFIA Application for Inspection
Certificate of Inspection for Processed Egg (CFIA/ACIA 2684)
Egg Import Shipment Notice for Re-inspection


IV. Prior Notification

Applications for the importation of egg products must be made prior to the shipments arrival. Notifications are sent directly to Import Inspection Division (IID) by the importer or a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) representative. IID Headquarters Staff members generate an “Egg Import Shipment Notice for Re-inspection” which is distributed to field inspection via e-mail. The notification includes the following information: Estimated Date of Arrival; Producing Establishment Name and Address; Inspection Location; Destination Location; Type and Quantity of Product; Carrier Information; Lot Number/Production Code and Type of Inspection Assigned

V. General Procedures

  1. General Procedures for Liquid, Frozen or Dried Egg Products
    1. Shipments identified on the "Egg Import Shipment Notice for Reinspection" with an assignment will be staged for reinspection.
    2. Inspectors will verify documentation against products. If there is a discrepancy between the documentation and product inspection personnel will place the lot on hold and refer to the applicable section of the Import Manual of Procedures for guidance.
    3. Inspection personnel will perform the requested "TOI" identified on the "Egg Import Shipment Notice for Reinspection."
    4. Inspection personnel will perform an organoleptic examination by verifying the satisfactory odor, sight and texture of 1 sample unit. Any defects found will result in a refused entry.
      1. Dried Product - Texture would be similar to that of a powdered milk product. Inspection personnel should be observant of possible scorched particles.
      2. Inspection personnel should be aware of foreign particles such as shells and unsatisfactory odors such as a chemical, sour, smoky, putrid or moldy smell
  2. Frozen samples are to be defrosted or drilled in a sanitary manner by import establishment personnel.
    1. Defrosting may be accomplished by the use of hot water, forced hot air, or other acceptable rapid and efficient means. Defrosted product may not be refrozen for sale.
    2. Defrost procedures must prevent product contamination. When defrost is accomplished by immersion in water, the establishment shall supply high quality, approved plastic bags or another acceptable means of preventing the defrost water from coming in contact with, and adulterating, the sample units. If a sample unit does come into contact with the defrost water, the sample unit shall be condemned and a new sample drawn from the same container as the original sample unit.
    3. The temperature of the defrost water shall not exceed 125° F. and shall not affect the appearance of the product.
VI. Refused Entry
  1. Egg Products that have failed reinspection will be refused entry. Inspection personnel will notify the Regional Import Field Office (RIFO) and send notification to the import inspection mailbox at importinspectin@fsis.usda.gov  immediately. Procedures should be followed as identified in the Import Manual of Procedures Part 4, Section 11.
VII. Paperwork after completion

Upon completion of the reinspection, a copy of all inspection results will be provided to IID-HQ. This includes a copy of FSIS form 5200-8, CFIA Inspection Certificate, Egg Import Shipment Notice, any lab or refused entry forms, as applicable. At this time, the Automated Import Information System (AIIS) is not programmed to include egg products. Shipment data and inspection results are stored in an Access database at IID-HQ.

Any questions or concerns from inspection personnel involving an imported egg product shipment reinspection shall be directed to OIA, Import Inspection Division headquarters staff at importinspection@fsis.usda.gov.