New FDA AofC Code for Volume of Low Acid Canned Food
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS Message announcing that the Food and Drug Administration has added a new Affirmation of Compliance (AofC) Code, VOL = Volume, for low acid canned food products.
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New Code Can Be Used for Low Acid Food in Non-Traditional Can Dimensions
CBP states this code and qualifier can be used to communicate the container volume of a low acid canned food (LACF) product packaged in a container that does not have traditional can dimensions.
When transmitting a line for a LACF product packaged in a container that does not have can dimensions, CBP asks that the container volume be conveyed using this AofC code. For example, when sending data for banana puree packaged in a 220 gallon container, send AofC VOL with a qualifier of 220.
CFSAN's LACF Database Has Been Modified to Look for New Code & Qualifier
FDA's script to perform an automated database look-up of Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's (CFSAN) LACF database has been modified to look for this new AofC code and qualifier.
CBP states that this AofC should not be used in place of sending can dimensions when the product is packaged in a container with the traditional two or three can dimensions. Use of this code in place of can dimensions, when can dimensions are part of the LACF scheduled process, will result in a failure of the automated database look-up.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11092226 for summary of an FDA official stating the importance of having accurate AofC codes as it speeds the entire release process.
See ITT’s Online Archives 11090937 for summary of an FDA official highlighting the importance of accurate AofC codes as it pertains to certain electronic products.)
(CSMS Message #11-000259)