Tips for Faster Label Approval Process

Labels are currently taking about 12-15 business days to evaluate.

TIP: When FSIS stamps a label application “APPROVED AS MODIFIED,” establishments must modify labels as instructed prior to use. Establishments are not required to resubmit the label to FSIS once they make the noted modifications.

When establishments submit a label application to FSIS for approval, the label is either approved as submitted, approved with modifications, or returned to the establishment for additional information. When a label is approved with modifications made by FSIS, the label is referred to as “sketch modified” and can only be used to make a final label after all the modifications noted in the application are made to the original label. If the necessary modifications are not made to the label, the label approval is not valid.

“Sketch modified” labels are clearly identified in the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS) in the “Label Application Adjudication Information” section of the summary. In addition, the actual label application, FSIS Form 7234-1, will bear the statement “APPROVED AS MODIFIED” in red. The necessary modifications will be noted in Box 14 of FSIS Form 7234-1, in the “Conditions Applying to Use of Label” section of the summary, and/or as modifications to the label as submitted.

Establishments are not required to resubmit the modified labels because the labels are already approved once the modifications are made. If the establishment does not understand a specific modification or does not agree with a modification, it should contact the staff officer who approved the label for clarification or submit a question through askFSIS. For access to askFSIS, please use the following link: https://askfsis.custhelp.com/.

FSIS will continue to provide updates regarding label turnaround time, as well as suggestions to assist industry to streamline label submissions in its Constituent Update.

FSIS Posts Updated Dataset on Imports

On August 15, 2019, FSIS will update the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products regulated by FSIS. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be inspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS inspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random and/or for-cause basis such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues.

Any product that does not meet FSIS requirements is refused entry, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g. relabeled, remarked, replacement certificate).

This dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and contains each shipment with product that was refused entry. For more information, please visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations.

Export Requirements Updates

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following countries:

• Korea, Republic of

Complete information can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/import-export.

Policy Updates

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/directives-notices. The following policy updates were recently issued:

Docket No. FSIS-2018-0044 - Changes to the Campylobacter Verification Testing Program

Docket No. FSIS-2019-0017 - Notice of Request for a New Information Collection Permit To Transport Undenatured Inedible Meat Products