FSIS Launches Online Label Approval Program for Meat, Poultry & Egg Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service launched the Label Submission Approval System (LSAS), which will allow electronic submission of label applications, will flag application submission errors that could delay the approval process, and will allow users to track the progress of their submission. FSIS said the LSAS will will streamline the agency’s review process for meat, poultry, and egg product labels.
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New System will Allow Immediate Access to Approved/Corrected Labels
FSIS said until the launch of LSAS, companies mailed or hand delivered paper applications to FSIS, and FSIS reviewed and corrected them before returning them in hard copy. FSIS receives 150 to 200 label submissions daily, and, according to FSIS, it can take more than three weeks for a label to be reviewed. The web-based system will make approved or corrected labels immediately available to companies, saving time and mailing costs. The system also will allow companies to store labels and make changes electronically, removing the need to print and re-submit modified labels for review to FSIS each time a change is made.
Labels Still Reviewed in Order of Submission; System will Notify Companies of Errors
Label submissions are reviewed on a first come, first served basis, and FSIS said it will continue to review labels in the same manner using LSAS. If a company chooses to use LSAS to submit a label for approval, during the submission process, the system will notify the company if an application is incomplete through an error message. The system assigns each label a tracking number so the progress of its review can be tracked online. The system also includes an option to first see if the label qualifies for a generic approval before proceeding with a submission (generic approval means the label does not have to be submitted to FSIS for review prior to use).
LSAS User Guide Available Online; Webinars Forthcoming
FSIS said it strongly encourages companies to consult the LSAS User’s Guide before attempting to submit their first label(s) through the new system. Webinars about LSAS will be scheduled and announced in coming weeks. More information about LSAS, including instructions on accessing the system using Level 2 USDA e-authentication, a user’s guide, FSIS contact information, and frequently asked questions is available on FSIS’ website here.