USDA Launching Web Based Labeling System for Meat, Poultry, Eggs

The USDA is launching a web based labeling system to help speed up the agency’s review process for meat, poultry, and egg product labels. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) created the “Label Submission Approval System” (LSAS), so food manufacturers can submit applications electronically. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, the USDA’s under secretary for food safety, said, “This new system will expedite and simplify the review process fo rmeat, poultry, and egg product labels. Reducing the review times for labels will enhance the agency’s ability to ensure that accurate information is applied to product labels and reaches consumers quickly.”

The system will flag submission errors and let manufacturers keep track of the submission process. Since the agency receives up to 200 label submissions daily, there was a lag time of more than three weeks before a label was reviewed under the old system. FSIS reviews product labels to make sure they are truthful and accurate. Once the labels are approved, the manufacturer will have access to the labels immediately, saving time and mailing costs. The submission process is on a first come, first served basis.

This system is part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. The USDA is reviewing programs to discover how they can streamline them to improve access. The government is also going to provide better information on labels for consumers on single-ingredient raw milk and poultry products and ground or chopped products.