VFPL - OJT Checklist 10/19/2020 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) For Supervisors – 

Virtual Further Processing and Labeling Inspection Course (FP&L) - On-the-Job 

Training (OJT) Checklist 

Target Audience: Supervisors of Inspection Program Personnel (IPP), who recently 

completed the Virtual FP&L course. 

Objective of this SOP: Ensure that supervisors provide necessary guidance and time 

to IPP who recently participated in the FP&L course to complete the OJT checklist. 

Instructions: Supervisors should review the OJT Checklist and coach/mentor the IPP 

while they are working on checklist items. The Center for Learning (CFL) recommends 

completing the checklist within the first week after finishing the VFP&L course. 

However, IPP have 3 weeks to complete the checklist. 

Upon IPP completion of the OJT checklist, the supervisor or designee should sign and 

date the checklist. Participants should keep a copy of the signed list for their records 

and certify the completion by sending an email to: FSISAgLearn@usda.gov. The email 

should contain the participant’s name, the Virtual Further Processing & Labeling 

Inspection Course number, the date of OJT completion and a statement attesting that 

they completed the OJT list. The participant should attach the signed list to the email. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Hala Bessyoung at 

hala.bessyoung@usda.gov. 

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VFPL - OJT Checklist 10/19/2020 

Virtual Further Processing and Labeling Inspection Course 

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Checklist 

The objective of this OJT Checklist is to verify that the Virtual Further Processing and 

Labeling participants can successfully apply the knowledge they learned during 

training. 

After completing the Virtual Further Processing & Labeling training, participants must 

complete On-the-Job Training (OJT). Participants will have up to three weeks to 

complete OJT. 

Upon IPP completion of the OJT checklist, the supervisor or designee should sign and 

date the checklist. Participants should keep a copy of the list for their records and certify 

the completion by sending an email to: FSISAgLearn@usda.gov. The email should 

contain the participant’s name, the Virtual Further Processing & Labeling Inspection 

Course number, the date of completion of OJT and a statement attesting that they 

completed the OJT list. The participant should attach the signed list to the email. 

The participant must conduct each of the 5 tasks as practical as possible and as the 

tasks can be performed at any of the establishments in their tour of duty. 

For questions, contact Dr. Hala Bessyoung, Training Operations Branch Chief, CFL at 

hala.bessyoung@usda.gov. 

Tasks Date Participant Initials 

General Labeling 

Labeling Product Standards 

Percent Yield/Shrink 

X% Solution 

Net weight 

Supervisor Signature & Date 

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VFPL - OJT Checklist 10/19/2020 

When performing the General Labeling Task, IPP are to verify 

compliance with the labeling regulations, ensuring that the required label 

• Is affixed to the immediate container and contains all the required 

information (mandatory features), 

• Has an accurate ingredients statement, 

• Identifies any proteinaceous substances such as allergens, and 

• Meets requirements for restricted ingredients. 

When performing the Labeling Product Standards Task, IPP are to verify 

compliance with the regulations and standards for products that have a 

standard of identity. FSIS regulations and the Food Standards and Labeling 

Policy Handbook prescribe standards of identity, or composition, for many 

meat and poultry products. 

As part of their standard of identity, some products (such as some cured 

products) have established limits for increased weight after processing 

which is expressed as gain or yield. Some products must decrease in 

weight after processing, with a minimum shrink requirement (such as ham 

or bacon). These required percentages are verified by calculations when 

performing the Percent Yield/Shrink Task. 

When performing the X Percent Solution Task, IPP verify label 

truthfulness pertaining to the percentage of added solution which has been 

declared on the label. IPP calculate the percentage added by formulation 

and compare the result to the amount on the label. 

The Net Weights Task is performed to ensure establishments are properly 

representing the amount of product in the container on the label. Net Weight 

calculations allow for some variation. IPP perform this task to verify regulatory 

compliance. 

Resources: Directive 7000.1, Further Processing and Labeling Inspection Course 

Student Notebook, Virtual Further Processing and Labeling Student Handout, 

Processing Inspectors’ Calculations Handbook, Food Standards and Labeling 

Policy Book. 

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