Federal Inspection Marks for Fishery Products 



NATIONAL FISHERY PRODUCTS INSPECTION PROGRAM The U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC), National Marine Fisheries 

 Service, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, conducts a voluntary seafood inspection program on a fee-for-service 

 basis. A HACCP-based service is also available Services provided by the program include vessel and plant sanitation, product inspection 

 and grading, label reviews, product specification reviews, laboratory analyses, training, education and information Inspection and certification 

 services are available nationwide and in U.S. territories for all interested parties Consultative services are provided in foreign countries 

 Inspection and certification services are also provided for imported and exported products The USDC Seafood Inspection Division also 

 provides HACCP training, plan development implementation assistance, and verification service to industry for the purpose of demonstrating 

 compliance with FDA's HACCP rule (21 CFR Parts 123 and 1240) regarding "Procedures for the Safe and Sanitary Processing and Importing 

 of Fish and Fishery Products" which will be implemented December 18, 1997 



USERS OF INSPECTION SERVICES The users of the voluntary seafood inspection service include vessel owners, processors, distributors, 

 brokers, retailers, food service operators, exporters, importers, and those who have a financial interest in buying and selling seafood products 

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that USDC inspected products be purchased for its food feeding programs The USDC 

 APPROVED UST OF FISH ESTABLISHMENTS AND PRODUCTS, published bi-annually, provides a listing of products and participants 

 who contract with USDC. 



USDC INSPECTION MARKS. These marks designate the level and the type of inspection performed by the federal inspector The marks 

 can be used in advertising and abeling under the guidelines provided by the Inspection Services Division and in accordance with federal 

 and state regulations regarding advertising and labeling Products bearing the USDC official marks have been certified as being safe, 

 wholesome, and properly labeled 



"US GRADE A" MARK. The U.S. GRADE A mark signifies that a product has been processed under federal inspection in an approved 

 facility and meets the established level of quality of an existing U.S. grade standard The U.S. Grade A mark indicates that the product is of 

 high quality, uniform in size, practically free from blemishes and defects, in excellent condition and possessing good flavor and odor. 



"PROCESSED UNDER FEDERAL INSPECTION" MARK The PUFI mark or statement signifies that the product has been inspected in 

 an approved facility and was found to be safe, wholesome and property labeled according to approved specifications or criteria The language 

 within the PUFI mark has been amended to "Processed Under Federal Inspection" to reflect actual inspection procedures and the regulatory 

 requirements for use of the mark 



"LOT INSPECTED" MARKS. A new Lot Inspected mark was created to replace the existing "Officially Sampled" and "Accepted Per 

 Specifications" marks currentty used on retail labels The use of this mark meets the needs of both industry and consumers by coveying that 

 the products bearing the mark have been examined by the USDC Program 



"RETAIL" MARK. In response to requests made by industry, a new mark has been created for retail or food sen/ice establishments. 

 Participants quality for use of the "Retail Mark" by receiving the N MFS HACCP-based service or being under contract for sanitation services 

 and associated product evaluation. Usage of such a mark will give the retail industry the opportunity to advertise on their banners, logos, or 

 menus that their facility has been recognized by USDC for proper sanitation and handling of fishery products 



USDC HACCP MARK The USDC HACCP-based service is available to all interested parties on a fee-for-service basis Label approval, 

 record keeping and analytical testing are program requirements An industry USDC certified employee trained in HACCP principles is also 

 required for each facility/site in the program Compliance ratings determine frequency of official visits Benefits to participants include 

 increased controls through a more scientific approach, use of established marks, increased efficiency of federal inspection personnel, and 

 enhanced consumer confidence The USDC has made available a HACCP mark and a "banner" to distinguish products that have been 

 produced under the HACCP-based program The HACCP banner must be used as an attachment to existing inspection grade marks 

 Establishments meeting HACCP program requirements may use these marks in conjunction with promotional material, packaging, point-of- 

 sale notices, and menus. 



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 



Seafood Inspection Division 



U.S. Department of Commerce 



NOAA/NMFS 



1315 East-West Highway 



Silver Spring, MD 20910 



(301)713-2355 (FAX: 713-1081) 



Internet: http://seafood.ssp.nmts.gov/iss/issue.html 



