Food Safety and Inspection Service:

1

OneUSDA “Do right and feed everyone” 
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

FSIS Labeling Overview and 

Compliance Guide for Label 

Approval

Labeling and Program Delivery Staff (LPDS)

September 2020

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

 Background information

 Required labeling features

 Generic Labeling Regulations

 Compliance Guide update 2020

 Useful resources

Webinar Overview

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Background Information

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Background Information
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Introduction

 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that 

meat and poultry products in interstate or foreign 

commerce are wholesome, not adulterated, and 

properly marked, labeled and packaged

 USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is 

responsible for the development of labeling 

requirements applicable to meat and poultry 

products

 FSIS is charged with developing the labeling policy by 

which it is determined if a meat or poultry product is 

misbranded 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Labeling and Program Delivery Staff (LPDS)

Staff within the Office of Policy and Program Development 

(OPPD) of FSIS, LPDS Functions include:

 Administering the Agency’s prior label approval program

 Responding to inquiries (e.g., askFSIS and phone calls) on FSIS 

labeling regulations and policies 

 Developing compliance policy guidance for special statements 

and claims (e.g., animal production raising claims)

 Writing regulations, FSIS Directives, FSIS Notices, and other 

policy guidance documents for meat, poultry, and egg product 

labeling and standards issues

 Providing labeling-related training for stakeholders and FSIS 

personnel

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Prior Label Approval

 Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and Poultry 

Products Inspection Act (PPIA) require food 

manufacturers to obtain prior approval for 

labels of meat and poultry products before 

products may be marketed

 Prior approval is granted in one of two ways:

– Sketch approval of labels submitted to FSIS which is 

approved by the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff 

(LPDS)

– Generic approval, which is approved by being in 

compliance with applicable regulations

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Types of Label Approval

Sketch

 Label review process by LPDS

 Printer’s proof or equivalent submitted to 

FSIS that is sufficiently legible to clearly 

show all labeling features, size, and 

location

 May be hand drawn, computer generated 

or other reasonable facsimile

 Must clearly reflect and project the final 

version of the label

 Specific categories of labels require sketch 

approval

 Sketch approved labels reviewed by LPDS 

are either “approved” or “approved as 

modified”

 A “Sketch” label is the concept of a label 

while “Final” label is the label that is 

applied to product before distribution in 

commerce

NOTE: Establishments are responsible for ensuring final 

labels applied to product are in compliance with FSIS 

regulations, including making modifications noted by 

LPDS during sketch review.

Generic

 The approval of labeling or 

modifications to labeling prior 

approved by the Agency without 

submitting such labeling to FSIS for 

sketch approval

 Requires that all mandatory labeling 

features are in conformance with 

FSIS regulations 

 Although not submitted to FSIS for 

approval, generically approved 

labels are approved by if in 

compliance with applicable 

regulations 

NOTE: FSIS Inspectors do not generically approve 

labels. 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Required Labeling Features

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Required Labeling Features
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Required Labeling Features

 Labels have up to eight (8) required features

 Regulations specify where on the label some 

of the features must be located

– Principal Display Panel (PDP)

• 9 CFR 317.2(c) and (d), 9 CFR 381.116

– Information Panel (IP)

• 9 CFR 317.2 (m), 9 CFR 381.116(c)

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Principal Display Panel (PDP) and Information Panel (IP)

 PDP is the part of the label most likely to be 

displayed, presented...when offered for sale 

under customary conditions

 IP is any portion of a label not on the PDP that is 

displaying certain mandatory features

PDP Information 

Panel 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Required Labeling Features

Four features are required on the PDP:

(1) Product name 

9 CFR 317.2(e)/381.117(a)

(2) Handling Statement, if product is perishable

9 CFR 317.2(k)/381.125(a) 

(3) Inspection Legend/Est. number

9 CFR 312.2(b)/381.96 &381.123(b)(2) 

(4) Net weight for product sold at retail (except variable net weight 

products) 

9 CFR 317.2(h)/381.121

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Required Labeling Features (cont’d):

The remaining four features may be located on the PDP or 

on the information panel:

(5) Name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or 

distributor

9 CFR 317.2(g)(2)/381.122

(6) Ingredients statement displaying all ingredients in descending order 

of predominance

9 CFR 317.2(c)(2)/381.118

(7) Nutrition labeling (unless an exemption applies)

9 CFR 317.300-400/381.400-500

(8) Safe Handling Instructions if the product is not ready-to-eat (may be 

located on any panel)

9 CFR 317.2(l)/381.125(b)

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Required Labeling Features: Summary Table

Feature Reference Location Applies to 

Product Name 9 CFR 317.2(c)(1) or 

381.117

Principal display panel All products

Inspection Legend 9 CFR 317.2(c)(5) or 

381.123

Principal display panel All products

Handling Statement (e.g. 

“Keep Frozen”)

9 CFR 317.2(k) or 

381.125(a)

Principal display panel Products requiring special handling 

to maintain wholesomeness

Net Weight Statement 9 CFR 317.2(h) or 381.121 Principal display panel Product sold at retail, unless the net 

weight is applied at retail

Ingredients Statement* 9 CFR 317.2(f) or 381.118 Information panel or Principal 

display panel

Products with multiple ingredients

Address Line 9 CFR 317.2(g) or 381.112 Information panel or Principal 

display panel

All products

Nutrition Facts Panel by 9 CFR 317.300 or 

381.400

Information panel or Principal 

display panel

Products not exempted by 9 CFR 

317.400 or 381.500

Safe Handling Instructions 9 CFR 317.2(l) or 

381.125(b)

Any panel Not-ready-to-eat meat or poultry 

products 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Generic Labeling Regulations

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Generic Labeling Final Rule
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Generic Labeling Final Rule

 Effective January 6, 2014, the final rule amended 

FSIS regulations to combine the previous 

regulations that provided for labeling approval (9 

CFR 317.4 and 381.132) and generically approved 

labeling (9 CFR 317.5 and 381.133) for meat and 

poultry products into one section

 Label approval regulations for meat and poultry 

products now in 9 CFR 412.1; approval of generic 

labels now in 9 CFR 412.2

– Current regulations found online at www.gpo.gov

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Generic Approval

 Final rule amended the meat and poultry 

products inspection regulations to expand the 

circumstances under which the labels of meat 

and poultry products are generically approved by 

the Agency

 NOW, four categories of labels REQUIRE LPDS 

review. 

 ALL OTHER labels that do not fit into one of the 

four categories do not require sketch approval 

by LPDS

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Generic Labeling Final Rule

 Only certain types of labeling require 

submission for evaluation by LPDS 

– labels for temporary approval (9 CFR 412.1(c)(4))

– labels for products produced under religious 

exemption (9 CFR 412.1(c)(1))

– labels for products for export with labeling 

deviations (9 CFR 412.1(c)(2))

– labels with special statements and claims (9 CFR 

412.1(c)(3))

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Temporary Label Approval

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Temporary Label Approval (9 CFR 412.1(c)(4))
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

LPDS Approval Required: Temporary Label Approval (9 CFR 412.1(c)(4))

 A temporary label approval may be granted for labels with a 

regulatory deviation that does not pose any potential health, safety 

or dietary problems to the consumer

 Temporary approval not to exceed 180 days

– Plant transfers are granted for up to 60 days

– Additional 60-day extension may be granted

 Granted on a case-by-case basis

 Four conditions for temporary approval described in the regulations

(9 CFR 412.1(f)(1)) must be met

 Approval process unchanged by the 2014 generic labeling rule

 Addition in the Compliance Guide

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Temporary Label Approval Submission

 Address the conditions cited in 9 CFR 412.1(f)(1)

 Clearly explain the specific labeling deficiencies that 

are present on the label

 Ingredients statement deficiencies must clearly list 

which ingredients are on the label but not in the 

product and which ingredients are in the product but 

not on the label

 Complete previously approved label information in 

Box 6b of Form 7234-1 or in the “Approval 

Information” section of LSAS

 If requesting extension of a temporary approval, 

explain in detail why the extension is necessary

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Temporary Label Approval: Examples

 Incorrect legend on label (e.g., poultry legend on a 

meat label)

 Order of predominance of ingredients has changed

 Specific multi-ingredient item has changed resulting in 

incorrect sublisting of some ingredient (e.g., spice mix)

 New ingredient has been added to formulation but is 

not on the label

 Address of the establishment has changed

 Incomplete product name (e.g., “smoke flavor added” 

qualifier missing)

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Religious Exempt Product Labels 

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Religious Exemption Statements (9 CFR 412.1(c)(1))
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

LPDS Sketch Approval Required:

Religious Exemption Statements (9 CFR 412.1(c)(1))

Religious-exempt product (poultry) does not receive the mark of 

inspection and, therefore, deviates from the general labeling 

requirements for meat and poultry products

Poultry processed in accordance with:

 Buddhist religious beliefs (head and feet remain on eviscerated 

poultry)

 Confucian religious beliefs (poultry is not eviscerated, head and 

feet intact)

 Islamic (or Halal) religious beliefs (poultry is eviscerated, headon, with or without the feet intact, in ready-to-cook form)

 Updates in the Compliance Guidance

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Export labels bearing label 

deviations 

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Export Labels Bearing Labeling Deviations (9 CFR 412.1(c)(2))
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

LPDS Sketch Approval Required: 

Export Labels Bearing Labeling Deviations (9 CFR 412.1(c)(2))

 Exports of U.S. meat and poultry products occur under 

agreements between the U.S. government and foreign 

governments

 Agreements require U.S. government approval of labels on 

exported meat and poultry products that bear labeling deviations

 Includes ensuring that any changes made to labels on meat and 

poultry products are allowed per the importing country’s laws (9 

CFR 317.7 and 381.128)

 412.1(c)(2) - labels deviating from FSIS requirements with the 

exception of net weight in metric units and foreign language need 

to be submitted for approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Common Deviations on Export Labels that require label submission 

 Nutrition Facts Panels in formats not 

permitted on domestic labels

 Ingredient statement deviations 

 Not sublisting of certain standardized 

foods, e.g., cheeses or enriched flour 

 No retained water statement

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Export Label Deviations which do not require LPDS sketch approval

 Net Weight in metric units

 Foreign Language

 Products that meet all of FSIS domestic requirements

 Products meeting the requirements in 9 CFR 412.1(c)(2): 

printed labels in foreign language or print labels that bear a 

statement of the quantity of contents in accordance with 

the usage of the country to which exported as described in 

9 CFR 317.7 and 381.128. 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

Compliance Guideline for 

Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

 FSIS Compliance Guideline for Label Approval is available on FSIS website

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86- 940c2698e2c5/Comp-Guide-Labeling-Evaluation- Approval.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

 Compliance Guide for Label Approval includes information and examples 

about:

• Appendix 1: Special statements and claims

• Appendix 2: Factual statements and claims that can be generically 

approved

• Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and 

claims without additional FSIS review

• Appendix 4: Changes to labels approved with special statements and 

claims that require FSIS review

• Appendix 5: Blanket approvals (product lines or multiple products 

with identical claims)

• Appendix 6: Special statements and claims generically approved 

after receiving the first approval from FSIS 30
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval Changes

• Appendix 1 has been updated to remove the certified Parma Ham 

example.

• Appendix 1 has been updated to include several new special statements 

and claims (e.g. additional certification programs) that require FSIS 

approval before they can be used on labels of product in commerce.

• Appendix 2 has been updated to include several new factual statements 

and claims (e.g., Artisanal and Better is Possible) that do not require FSIS 

approval before they can be used on labels of product in commerce. 

• Appendix 3 has been updated to include several examples of changes to 

labels with special statements and claims that can be made without 

additional FSIS review (e.g. addition of brand name that does not include a 

new claim and changes to the packaging.) 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval Changes (cont’d)

• Appendix 4 has been updated with two new export examples (e.g. changes 

to an export label that create new labeling deviations not previously 

approved by FSIS and changes to an export label that impact previously 

approved special statements and claims.) 

• Appendix 5 has been updated to include a new example (e.g. high 

pressure processed at establishment ABC) of blanket approvals (labels for 

product line or multiple products with identical claims.)

• Appendix 6 has been updated to include several new examples (e.g. 

employee owned certified and sustainable forestry initiative certified 

sourcing) of special statements and claims that can be generically approved 

after receiving the first approval from FSIS.

• Additional changes to the Compliance Guideline for Label Approval will be 

announced via the Constituent Update. 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 1: Special statements 

and claims

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Appendix 1: Special Statements and Claims
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 1: Special Statements and Claims:

 3rd party raising claims or programs (i.e. Global Animal partnership, 

AMS Process verified or certified programs, American Heart 

Association (AHA) claims)

 Claims regarding meat and poultry production practices (i.e. claims 

regarding the raising of animals such as “no antibiotics administered” 

or “vegetarian fed”)

 Breed claims (Berkshire, Angus, Hereford, etc.)

 Certified claims such as “Certified Halal”

 Gluten free: both certified and noncertified 

 Health claims defined in 21 CFR Subpart E, e.g. dietary saturated fat 

and cholesterol and risk of coronary heart disease (21 CFR 101.75) 

 Implied Nutrition Claims e.g., Heart Smart, Baked Not Fried, Made 

without Butter

 Instructional or disclaimer statements concerning pathogens, such as 

“for cooking only;” “not tested for E. coli O157:H7;”or “For high 

pressure pasteurization at establishment ABC”

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 1: Special Statements and Claims: Sketch Approval Required (continued) 

 Natural claims, e.g. “All Natural”, “100% Natural”

 Negative claims or “free” claims (e.g., no MSG, no MSG added, no 

preservatives)

 Statements that identify a product as “organic” or containing organic 

ingredients

 Claims that are undefined in FSIS regulations or the Food Standards and 

Labeling Policy Book (Note: natural and negative claims are defined in the 

policy book but will continue to be required to be submitted for approval). 

 Examples of new special statements and claims added to Appendix 1: 

 Certified select ingredients

 Crossfit Certified

 Real Ingredients

 Whole30

 Additional special statements and claims can be found in Appendix 1 of the 

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 2: Factual statements 

and claims that are generically 

approved

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Appendix 2: Factual Statements and Claims that are Generically Approved
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 2: Factual Statements and Claims that are Generically Approved

 Some factual statements and claims do NOT require submitting for approval and 

are approved generically under 9 CFR 412.2(b)

 Examples include:

 Allergen or contains statements, e.g., “contains (name of ingredient)”

 AMS Grading (USDA Prime, Choice, Select)

 Flavor profiles (teriyaki flavored)

 Foreign language on domestic products

 Examples of new factual statements and claims added to Appendix 2:

 Artisanal

 Better is Possible

 Farm to Fork

 Fresh

• Additional special statements and claims can be found in Appendix 2 of the 

Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

All 

Natural* Chicken Kabobs

Serving suggestion

Keep Refrigerated Net Wt. 32 oz. (2 lbs.)

Packed for: House of Kabob, Houston, TX 77252

Grilled White Chicken Chunks 

on a wooden skewer

Ingredients: chicken breast, 

salt, pepper

Fully Cooked

*Minimally Processed, no artificial ingredients

Special 

Statements 

and Claims

Appendix 1: Special Statements and Claims: Sketch Approval Required Label 

Example

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 2: Factual Statements and Claims that are generically approved : Generic Label 

Example

NEW!

Chicken Kabobs

Serving suggestion

Keep Refrigerated Net Wt. 32 oz. (2 lbs.)

Packed for: House of Kabob, Houston, TX 77252

Grilled White Chicken Chunks 

on a wooden skewer

Ingredients: chicken breast, 

salt, pepper

Fully Cooked Factual 

statements 

and claims

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 3: Changes to labels 

approved with special 

statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review

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Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and 

claims without additional FSIS review
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review

 Many changes can be made to labels previously 

sketch approved by LPDS.

 An example of this is changing information such as 

the establishment number (except for products 

labeled as organic), signature line, preparation 

instructions, or vignette for a label that was 

previously approved with a special statement or 

claim. These changes are generically approved as 

they will not affect the special statement or claim.

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review examples

 Addition of cooking instructions

 Addition of a bar code

 Changing an approved claim to a synonymous claim (e.g., changing 

from “no antibiotics used” to “raised without antibiotics”)

 Changes to the handling statement

 Changes to the product name

 Changes to the signature line including export labels with deviations

 Changes to the values in the nutrition facts panel

 Removal of ingredients in product without the addition of new 

ingredients

 Removal of nutrition front of pack icon

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review examples

 Examples of new changes added to Appendix 3:

 Addition of a brand name or changes to a brand 

name that does not include a new claim

 Adding new establishments for certification 

claims that cover multiple establishments

 Addition of logo or changes to a logo that does 

not include a new claim

 Additional new changes can be found in Appendix 3

 Additional changes that can be made to labels approved with 

special statements and claims without additional LPDS review 

can be found in Appendix 3 of the Compliance Guideline for 

Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

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Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review examples: Label Example
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

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Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review examples: Label Example
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 3: Changes to labels approved with special statements and claims without 

additional FSIS review examples: Question and Answer

• Question: Can a previously approved label 

with a raised without antibiotic claim change 

the cut name generically?

• Answer: Yes, the cut name (i.e., chicken breast 

to chicken thigh) can be changed generically 

provided the source of the chicken is the same 

as that used for the prior approved label 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 4: Changes to labels 

with special statements and 

claims that require FSIS review

47

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements and claims 

that require FSIS review
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements and claims 

that require FSIS review

 This is a list of changes to labels with special 

statements and claims that require FSIS review

 An example of this: A label with a negative claim 

(e.g., “No MSG”) was approved by LPDS, and the 

establishment wants to use a new seasoning mix that 

includes ingredients that were not included in the 

product formula for the previously approved label. 

In this case, the establishment is required to 

resubmit the label to LPDS for approval so the 

Agency can verify the new ingredients do not contain 

naturally occurring sources of MSG. 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements and claims 

that require FSIS review (continued)

 Addition of additional nutrients to labels with FOP statement

 Changes to the establishment number of labels with an organic claim

 Change to the ingredients without changing the label

 Examples of new changes to Appendix 4:

 Changes to an export label that create new labeling 

deviations not previously approved by FSIS (e.g., addition 

of a nutrition facts panel that was not included in the prior 

approval) 

 Changes to an export label that impact previously approved 

special statements and claims (e.g., including an ingredient 

that is not acceptable for natural) 

 Additional changes that cannot be made to labels approved with special 

statements and claims without additional LPDS review can be found in 

Appendix 4 of the Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

50

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements 

and claims that require FSIS review: Label Example
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

51

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements and claims 

that require FSIS review: Label Example
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 4: Changes to labels with special statements and claims that require FSIS 

review: Question and Answer

 Question: My label was approved with “no MSG,” 

“gluten free” and “no artificial colors claims.” I want 

to add a new seasoning packet and add the 

additional claim of “no preservatives.” Can I do that 

generically?

 Answer: No, because the “no preservatives” is tied to 

the ingredients in the product, and the label needs to 

be evaluated for compliance with the claim. 

Additionally, FSIS need to verify whether the new 

seasoning packet is consistent with the other 

previously approved claims. 52
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals 

(Product Line or Multiple 

Products with identical claims)

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals ( Product Line or Multiple Products with identical 

claims) 

 The addition of a special claim to an entire 

product line of products or multiple products 

does not require every single label to be 

submitted to LPDS for approval. 

 In certain situations, establishments may submit 

a blanket approval request by submitting a 

complete application and label for one product. 

The establishment would attach a list of the other 

products that would be covered by this approval.

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals ( Product Line or Multiple Products with identical 

claims) (cont’d)

 Addition of animal raising claim to product line that also bears 

an ingredient related claim

• Addition of Front of Pack (FOP) statements to multi 

products in the same product line or company

 Examples of new blanket approvals added to Appendix 5:

 Addition of state endorsement programs that have 

a geographic emblematic design (e.g., Go Texan)

 High pressure processed at establishment ABC

 Additional blanket approval examples can be found in 

Appendix 5 of the Compliance Guideline for Label Approval

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

56

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals ( Product Line or Multiple Products with identical 

claims) : Label example

FOP

Other cuts for blanket 

approval:

• Salami

• Pepperoni

• Prosciutto
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals ( Product Line or Multiple Products with identical 

claims) : Label example

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 5: Blanket Approvals ( Product Line or Multiple Products with 

identical claims) : Questions and Answers

 Question: My company has a beef sausage line with 

approval for a No MSG claim, the company wants to add 

a made with grass fed beef claim. Can that be done 

through a blanket approval?

 Answer: Yes, the label can be approved through a 

blanket approval. This is provided that the only thing 

changing is the beef and no other ingredient. The 

establishment would submit one application with a list of 

the products covered by the approval. In addition, the 

submission would need to have support for the animal 

product claim included in the application.

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 6: Special Statements 

and Claims that FSIS needs to 

review for only one label

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Appendix 6: Special Statements and Claims that FSIS needs to review for only one 

label
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 6: Special Statements and Claims that FSIS needs to review for only 

one label

 There are certain types of special statements and 

claims that LPDS only needs to evaluate once to 

ensure compliance. 

 Subsequent approvals for additional products can 

be generically approved provided the 

establishment has support in its labeling record 

for the claims on the label.

 If the claim on the label is changed from the 

initial LPDS, the label would need to be 

resubmitted to for evaluation. 

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Appendix 6: Special Statements and Claims that FSIS needs to review for only 

one label (continued)

 Nutrition FOP

 Certified Halal/Certified Zabihah Halal

 Certified Kosher

 For cooking only at establishment xyz

 Examples of new claims added to Appendix 6:

 Certified Women’s Business Enterprise

 Employee Owned Certified

 FDA nutrition facts panel- one approval from FSIS per 

format (e.g., full format, simplified, linear, tabular, dual 

column, or aggregate format) 

 Additional information on Special Statements and Claims 

generically approved after first approval from LPDS can be found 

Appendix 6 of the Compliance Guideline for Label Approval 61
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

62

Appendix 6: Special Statements and Claims that FSIS needs to review for 

only one label: Label Example
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

 Question: My establishment was approved to make a 

certified halal chicken hot dog. The company now 

wants to make a certified halal chicken sausage. Can 

we do this generically?

 Answer: Yes, the label can be approved generically 

because LPDS has already approved the 

documentation for the certified halal claim. The 

establishment can add the claim to the other labels 

made at the company generically provided the 

documentation is current. 

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Appendix 6: Special Statements and Claims that FSIS needs to review for only 

one label: Question and Answer
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Resources

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Resources
Food Safety and Inspection Service:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov

 TopicsRegulatory ComplianceLabeling/Label Approval

Home page 

for all generic 

labeling 

resources

Note: Other labeling resources may also be found on this page

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Generic Labeling Home Page

Generic labeling resources

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Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Available Resources

 FSIS Main Labeling Website:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/labeling

 Generic Labeling Resources:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/labeling/Labeling-Policies

 Allergens - Voluntary Labeling Statements:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/labeling/ingredients-guidance/allergensvoluntary-labeling-statements/allergens-voluntary-labeling-statements

 Additional resources section of the Compliance Guideline

Submit questions through askFSIS http://askfsis.custhelp.com

Call LPDS at (800) 233-3935

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