On Aug. 18, 2017, FSIS issued an update to the November 2015, Compliance Guideline for Label Approval. This compliance guideline provides information about the types of labels and labeling that need to be submitted to the Agency for approval, including specific examples of certain special statements and claims that are not generically approved.

The guideline was updated to include new examples of special statements and claims that require submitting for approval, factual statements and claims that are generically approved, changes that can be made generically to labels previously approved with special statements and claims, and changes that cannot be made generically to labels previously approved with special statements and claims. In addition, the updated guideline provides new information for how to submit a label application for a blanket approval. A blanket approval refers to situations where the submission and approval of one label application covers an entire line of products without having to submit each label individually.

FSIS invites interested people to submit comments on this notice in the next 60 days. Comments may be submitted online via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov; by mail including CD-ROMs sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700; or by hand or courier-delivery to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2016-0021.

Questions about the Compliance Guide may be submitted via askFSIS or by contacting the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff at 301-504-0878.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings/newsletters/constituent-updates/archive/2017/ConstUpdate081817