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Procedures for Labeling
Consultants/Company Representatives |
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In order to ensure that the labeling process is efficient, and there is prompt
evaluation of labels, yet not unreasonable demands of FSIS Labeling Compliance
Team (LCT), the following changes will help maintain timely label reviews. These
changes will ensure that time is available for the LCT to work on any backlog,
generic label audit, and other policy issues.
- There will be advisory and consultation time each working day between 8:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m. with Division staff (including the Labeling Evaluation
Specialists) to ask questions concerning labeling, standards, additives, product
composition policy, and returned labeling. Please contact the Labeling and
Program Delivery Division at (301) 504-0879 to arrange appointments with
Labeling Evaluation Specialists and other technical policy staff. THERE
WILL BE NO APPROVALS GRANTED BY THE STAFF DURING THESE APPOINTMENTS.
- Expediting Firms/Company Representatives are requested to pre-screen the
label submissions for legibility, features and information that conflict with
current regulations or policies, and the completeness of the entire form before
submitting for review.
- A Complete label submission includes:
- Legible print,
- All required features should be clearly represented on the label. If
hand drawn, regulation should be cited i.e., Legends -P-381.96,
Est.-312.2, Safe Handling -P-381.125(b), Est.-317.2(l), Nutrition Facts
(Est. 317.309, P-381.409). Attachments are acceptable if referenced on
the label, i.e., Safe Handling Instruction.
- Expediting Firms/Company Representatives are requested to separate those
labels with policy issues for the required evaluation by Technical Policy Staff.
- In order to provide the rapid turnaround expediting firms have come to
expect we need to ensure our evaluation is directed to label submissions that
actually require agency review. Therefore, the LCT will no longer review or
approve label submissions for sketches that can be approved generically by meat
and poultry establishments, during scheduled appointment time, i.e.,
standardized, multi-ingredient products that do not bear special claims,
guarantees, or foreign language. Voluntary submissions for generically approved
sketches may be dropped off with the Distribution Team. Label submissions will
be evaluated on a first come, first serve basis and will not be given priority
review.
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