The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) share an ingredient approval process. FDA determines the safety of substances and prescribes safe conditions of use. FSIS determines the efficacy and suitability of food ingredients in meat, poultry, and egg products.

During FSIS's suitability determinations, we assess the effectiveness of the ingredient in performing the intended purpose of use. We also review to assure that the conditions of use do not result in an adulterated product, or one that misleads the consumer.

Once a safety and suitability determination is made for use of a substance, it is added to FSIS Directive 7120.1. This directive provides inspection program personnel with an up-to-date list of substances that may be used in the production of meat, poultry, and egg products.

FSIS Directive 7120.1 is updated monthly, and the current version replaces all previous versions.  The listing is also available to download or you may use the look up table located after the additional resources section below.   

• List of Approved On Line Reprocessing (OLR) and Off Line Reprocessing (OFLR) Antimicrobial Systems for Poultry: Updated Oct 28, 2020
• Table of Safe and Suitable Ingredients for Fish in the order of Siluriformes

Additional Resource

• Table of Safe and Suitable Ingredients: Updated Oct 28, 2020
• Memorandum of Understanding Between FSIS and FDA Regarding the Listing or Approval of Food Ingredients and Sources of Radiation Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products.
• Ingredients Guidance
• Labeling Policies and Procedures
• Compliance Guide on the Determination of Processing Aids (PDF Only)
• FSIS Compliance Guideline Procedures for New Technology Notifications and Protocols (PDF Only)

Technical questions relating to this topic can be submitted through askFSIS.

Key for Label Requirements: 1)  The use of the substance(s) is consistent with FDA’s labeling definition of a processing aid.,  2)  Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS),  3)  Secondary Direct Food Additive,  4)  Direct Food Additive,  5) Color Additive,  6)  Food Contact Substance (FCS) subject to food contact notifications (FCN) is defined as any substance that is intended for use as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food if such use is not intended to have any technical effect in such food.