Agricultural Quality Assessment Division PY-01 Specification

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 October 9, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Where Food Comes From Certified Poultry Program

P-01 Specification

1 REQUIREMENTS

Poultry carcasses and parts certified under this specification shall follow an operational USDA Process 

Verified or Quality System Assessment Program that includes verification of this program and shall 

meet the following requirements:

a. All poultry must be hatched, raised, and harvested in the US. The full life span of the birds 

must be controlled and verified by a USDA Process Verified Approved Service Provider.

b. All carcasses must be U.S. Grade A Quality0F

1

;

c. The carcass or part must be free of deformities that detract from its appearance1;

d. The carcass has a well-developed covering of flesh1

;

e. The carcass or part, has a well-developed layer of fat1

;

f. Parts are free of broken bones1

; and

g. The carcass or parts shall have a clean appearance1.

2 CARCASS IDENTIFICATION

Carcass or parts to be examined for compliance with the requirements of this specification shall be 

identified and segregated as prescribed in the plant specific Quality Assessment Division (QAD) 

Quality Plan procedures. A designated plant or Where Food Comes From (WFCF) employee shall 

notify the AMS grader of the approximate harvest time and lot identification of chickens intended for 

the program prior to their harvest.

3 TRAINING EMPLOYEES

WFCF or designee shall train individuals responsible for program integrity. These individuals will be 

responsible for training and supervising plant employees who conduct bird and carcass identification, 

product labeling, segregation, storage and distribution, and other duties. A record designating each 

trained employee has completed the approved training and signed by the trainer and trainee must be on 

file at the plant.

4 CERTIFICATION

Carcasses or parts examined for compliance with the requirements of this specification shall be clearly 

identified when presented to the AMS grader for certification. An AMS grader will certify acceptable 

 1 Determined in accordance with the “United States Classes, Standards, and Graders for Poultry.”
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division PY-01 Specification

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 October 9, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

carcasses or parts. Certification procedures for identification, the removal of preliminary identification 

marks (or other methods of control) from non-qualifying carcasses or parts, and control of certified 

carcasses or parts shall be in accordance with established QAD procedures.

5 LABELING

Labeling of products derived from certified carcasses or parts must follow Food Safety and Inspection 

Service regulations and policy guidelines and QAD Procedures.

6 FEES

The costs of all grading and certification services performed by an AMS grader involving 

examinations, supervision, official documentation, and related services shall be borne by the person, 

group, or plant requesting the service.

____________________________________

Richard Lawson, National Poultry Supervisor

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program