1. PURPOSE
   This notice announces the availability of the updated FSIS Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to Non-Profit Organizations. This notice provides instructions to Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) to notify establishment management of this resource, and for Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit, Compliance and Investigations Division (CID) Investigators to share it with in-commerce facilities, as appropriate. 
2. BACKGROUND
   1. On 5/23/24, FSIS announced the availability of its updated FSIS Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat and Poultry Products to Non-Profit Organizations in the Federal Register (89 FR 45626). The donation guideline assists establishments or non-profit organizations that donate or receive donated meat, poultry, and egg products. It addresses issues that have been presented to FSIS related to food donation (e.g., products eligible for donation, labeling donated products, and donating products produced under exemption).
   2. Meat, poultry, and egg product establishments can be critical in reducing food loss and waste. FSIS encourages establishments to donate meat, poultry, and egg products to non-profit organizations, when possible, to reduce food loss and waste.
   3. The guideline is not a regulatory document. Therefore, establishments are not required to use the guideline to comply with FSIS regulations. IPP and CID Investigators are to continue to make compliance determinations based on statutory and regulatory requirements, using instructions in applicable policy issuances (e.g., FSIS Directive 7020.1, Verifying Donation of Misbranded and Economically Adulterated Meat and Poultry Products to Non-Profit Organizations and FSIS Directive 8410.1, Detention and Seizure). When necessary, IPP or CID Investigators are to refer questions to their supervisor.
3. WEEKLY MEETING AND OUTREACH
   1. IPP are to make establishment management aware of the availability of this reference guidance document at the next weekly meeting with establishment management.
   2. CID Investigators are to share this reference guideline with in-commerce firms, State and local public health partners, and non-profit institutions, as appropriate, during routine surveillance and outreach activities.
4. QUESTIONS
   Refer questions regarding this notice to your supervisor or as needed to the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) through askFSIS, or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question, complete the web form and select General Inspection Policy as the Inquiry Type.

NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.