What is USDA Registration?
USDA registration and inspection is required for facilities that process, manufacture, or distribute meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) oversees these operations to ensure products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.
USDA-regulated facilities must comply with strict sanitation, food safety, and labeling requirements, and are subject to federal inspection to maintain their license to operate.
Benefits of USDA Compliance
- Legal Authorization: Required to legally process and sell meat and poultry products
- Federal Inspection: USDA mark of inspection builds consumer trust
- Interstate Commerce: Enables product distribution across state lines
- Market Access: Required by retailers and distributors
- Food Safety: Ensures compliance with federal safety standards
- Export Opportunities: Facilitates international trade
Who Needs USDA Registration?
- Meat slaughter and processing facilities
- Poultry slaughter and processing plants
- Meat and poultry product manufacturers
- Egg processing facilities
- Custom exempt processing operations
- Retail operations selling across state lines
- Import/export facilities for meat products
- Rendering and pet food facilities using meat/poultry
USDA Registration Requirements
To obtain USDA registration and inspection, facilities must:
- Facility Design: Meet USDA sanitation and facility construction standards
- HACCP Plan: Develop and implement Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points plan
- Sanitation SOP: Establish Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures
- Label Approval: Obtain USDA approval for all product labels
- Water Testing: Provide potable water test results
- Equipment List: Detailed inventory of processing equipment
- Process Flow: Document production processes and procedures
USDA Application Process
The process to obtain USDA inspection includes:
- Submit application for inspection (FSIS Form 5200-2)
- Complete facility construction or renovation to USDA standards
- Develop HACCP plan and supporting documents
- Create Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP)
- Prepare water supply documentation
- Schedule pre-operational inspection
- Pass initial USDA facility review
- Receive grant of inspection
Label Approval Requirements
All meat and poultry product labels require USDA approval:
- Product name must be approved and descriptive
- Ingredient statement in descending order by weight
- Net weight declaration
- Establishment number and USDA mark of inspection
- Handling instructions if required
- Safe handling instructions for raw products
- Nutrition facts panel (if required)
Ongoing Compliance Requirements
USDA-registered facilities must maintain:
- Daily inspection by USDA inspector (for official establishments)
- Continuous HACCP plan implementation and monitoring
- Daily sanitation procedures and documentation
- Regular microbial and pathogen testing
- Accurate production and inventory records
- Employee food safety training programs
- Annual water testing
- Label compliance for all products
Custom Exempt vs. Official Inspection
Understanding the difference is crucial:
- Custom Exempt: Process animals owned by the customer for their personal use only; products cannot be sold
- Official Inspection: Commercial operations that can sell products in retail or wholesale markets
- Custom exempt facilities have lower regulatory requirements but cannot sell products commercially
Our USDA Registration Services
We provide comprehensive USDA compliance assistance:
- USDA inspection application preparation and submission
- Facility design review and compliance consultation
- HACCP plan development and implementation
- Sanitation SOP creation and training
- Label design and USDA approval processing
- Pre-operational inspection preparation
- Regulatory compliance guidance
- Record-keeping system development
- Employee training program assistance