Tips for Faster Label Approval Process

Labels are currently taking about 5-7 business days to evaluate. 

TIP: Ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products containing more than one ingredient declare all ingredients on the label in compliance with applicable FSIS labeling regulations will reduce label returns and time-consuming modifications.

An ingredients statement is required on labels for meat, poultry, or egg products composed of two or more ingredients. All ingredients must be declared by their common or usual name and listed in descending order of predominance by weight at the time of formulation. An ingredients statement is not required when the product name provides a complete identification of all ingredients in the food (e.g., “Chicken Breasts with Rosemary Extract”).

Meat and poultry products containing ingredients present in individual amounts of 2.0% or less at formulation may list those ingredients in other than descending order, provided that the ingredients are listed at the end of the ingredients statement preceded by a phrase such as “less than 2.0% of _____ ” with the blank filled in with the ingredients. These preceding statements should start with the threshold level of 2.0% but may move down in 0.5% increments as applicable, (i.e., 1.5%, 1.0%, or 0.5%.) No ingredient in these statements may be greater than the stated threshold. Ingredients listed in these statements may be adjusted in the formulation without a change in the ingredients statement provided that all ingredients remain at less than the stated threshold on the label.

When multi-ingredient foods (e.g., soy sauce, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs) are used as ingredients in the preparation of meat, poultry, or egg products, the common or usual names of all ingredients in the multi-ingredient food must be listed on the label. For example, the label for a cooked chicken breast marinated in soy sauce must list the sub-ingredients in the soy sauce, for example “soy sauce (water, wheat, soy and salt)” in the correct order of predominance within the ingredients statement.

To review the applicable regulations pertaining to listing ingredients on labels please see the following links: 9 CFR 317.2(c)(2) (meat); 9 CFR 381.118 (poultry); and 9 CFR 590.950 (egg products).

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 to Post New Country-Level Import Volume Dataset 

On December 11, 2020, FSIS will publish a dataset containing country-level data on import volumes. This dataset and corresponding data documentation for the volume of imported meat, poultry, and egg products presented for reinspection to FSIS at ports of entry can be found on the Import and Export Data web page.

FSIS announced the proposed publication of the import volumes dataset in the FSIS Constituent Update on October 2, 2020, and invited comments to Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032 for a sample dataset and data documentation through November 2, 2020. General information on FSIS data releases can be found in the

FSIS Establishment-Specific Data Release Strategic Plan.

Policy Updates

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

FSIS Directive 4410.5 Revision 1 - Student Loan Repayment Program for In-Plant Veterinary Medical Officers

FSIS Directive 4630.5 Revision 1 - Leave Bank Program

FSIS Notice 61-20 - Sampling of Young Chicken Carcasses for Nitrofurans Prior to Chilling

FSIS Notice 62-20 - Barcodes in Lieu of Shipping Marks Pilot Program for Fresh Meat Products From Australia

FSIS Notice 63-20 - Performance Award Distribution for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees

Export Requirements Update

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

• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Japan
• Paraguay
• Singapore
• Sudan

For a complete list of countries, visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/import-export.