FSIS guidance information, the Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book and Policy Memorandums, nutrition labeling information and other resource material regarding meat, poultry, and egg product labeling policies.

Basics of Labeling
Generic Label Approval
Irradiation
Natural or Regenerated Collagen Sausage Casing 
Net Weight Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products
Nutrition Labeling Information
Product Dating
Standards of Identity

Generic Label Approval

• Slides: FSIS Labeling Overview and Compliance Guide for Label Approval | PDF
  PowerPoint presentation used during the August 12, 2020 and September 9, 2019 webinars concerning label approval including generic approval and discussing the new and revised information included in the update to the FSIS Compliance Guidance for Label Approval published on July 24, 2020.
• Slides: Generic Label Approval | PDF
  PowerPoint presentation used during the September 25, 2019 webinar concerning the expanded circumstances in which labels may be considered  “generically approved.”
• Pilot Project for Generically Approved Label Record Assessment | PDF
• Slides: FSIS Labeling Overview and Generic Label Approval | PDF
  PowerPoint presentation used during the October 21, 2014 webinar providing an overview of labeling and generic label approval.
• Slides: Generic Label Approval | PDF
  PowerPoint presentation used during the January 14, 2014 webinar concerning the expanded circumstances in which labels may be considered  “generically approved.”
• Related Documents:
  • FSIS Compliance Guidance for Label Approval
  • Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book
  • Guide to Federal Food Labeling Requirements for Meat, Poultry and Egg Products:
  • Final Rule: Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval (Nov 7, 2013)

    • Questions and Answers Concerning the Recently Published Generic Labeling Final Rule

Irradiation

• FSIS Directive 7700.1 Revision 1 - Irradiation of Meat and Poultry Products (Apr 13, 2005; PDF only)
  This directive provides information and instructions regarding the irradiation of meat and poultry products in official establishments.
  • askFSIS about Irradiation
  • Irradiation Q & A's | PDF
    Answers to questions on irradiation as it pertains to labeling, ingredients, packaging material and procedural issues.
  • Additional Irradiation Resources

Natural or Regenerated Collagen Sausage Casing 

• Labeling of Natural or Regenerated Collagen Sausage Casings
  FSIS final rule requiring that the source of natural sausage casings be disclosed on the product label if the casings are derived from a different type of meat or poultry than the meat or poultry encased in the sausage.
  • FSIS Notice 6-02
    Expired notice used to provide answers to questions on the FSIS final rule concerning labeling of natural or regenerated collagen sausage casings.

Net Weight Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products

• Docket Number FSIS-2005-0032
  Determining Net Weight Compliance for Meat and Poultry Products - Proposed Rule
• Related Documents:
  • FSIS Letter to Steven B. Steinborn, Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P. (Mar 24, 2006; PDF Only)
  • FSIS Letter to George B. Watts, President, National Chicken Council (Jan 24, 2006; PDF Only)
  • FSIS Letter to Cato R. Fiksdal, President, California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (Apr 16, 2004; PDF Only)
  • FSIS Letter to Mark Dopp, Senior Vice President and General Council, American Meat Institute (Apr 5, 2004; PDF Only)

Nutrition Labeling Information

Product Dating

• Food Product Dating | PDF
  Are dates required on food products? Does it mean the product will be unsafe to use after that date? Here is some background information which answers these and other questions about product dating.
• Labeling Compliance Policy Guide on Poultry Food Product Dating (Aug 23, 2010; PDF only)
• Packing Dates on Poultry Labeling
  Guidance and clarification regarding the appropriate application of the Federal poultry products inspection regulations on "date of packing".
• Regulations for Package Dating
  Guidance material regarding FSIS poultry products inspection regulations for package dating.
  • 9 CFR 381.126
  • 9 CFR 381.129 (c)
  • 9 CFR 317.8 (b)(32)

Standards of Identity

• Guidance on the Elimination of the Pizza with Meat or Sausage Standard Q's & A's
  Answers to questions regarding the final rule that eliminated the standards of identity for pizza with meat or sausage products
  • Supplemental Pizza Q's & A's  
    Answers to questions which address the names of non-traditional pizza-like products and pizzas with modified cheeses.