FSIS NOTICE 15-06 3/7/2006
USE OF NON-AMENABLE ANIMAL TISSUE IN INSPECTED PRODUCTS
This notice provides inspection program personnel with clarification regarding the use of non-amenable animal tissue in official inspected products. This notice addresses questions that FSIS has received regarding the use of non-amenable animal tissue. Also, this notice cancels any previous instructions (e.g., FSIS Notice 14-91, Use of Non-Amenable Species in Federally and State Inspected Products) regarding this subject.
Non-amenable animal tissue, for the purpose of this notice, means tissue from animals not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. It includes edible tissue from 1) exotic animals (reindeer, elk, deer, antelope, water buffalo, or bison) or hybrid animals showing predominant characteristics of non-amenable animals, (e.g., catalo); 2) rabbits; 3) migratory water fowl or game birds; and 4) other animals not under the scope of FSIS voluntary inspection, e.g., alligator, kangaroo.
For many years, FSIS policy (FSIS Notice 14-91) was that tissues from non-amenable species had to originate from one of three FSIS recognized approved sources (FSIS voluntarily inspected, state inspected, or foreign government inspected). Questions have been raised about the statutory basis for this policy.
As a result, FSIS has reexamined the policy, and has concluded that non-amenable animal tissues do not need to bear a mark of inspection (Federal, State or Non-domestic) to be included in amenable meat or poultry products produced in official establishments. An establishment may use non-inspected non-amenable animal tissue in inspected meat and poultry products in accordance with 9 CFR 318.1(c), 318.6(a), and 424.21(a)(1). Inspection program personnel are to verify the proper use of non-inspected non-amenable animal tissue in the same manner that they verify the use of all ingredients covered under 9 CFR 318.1(c), 318.6(a), and 424.21(a)(1).
This FSIS notice does not add any new verification procedures for inspection program personnel to perform. It also does not change the scope or availability of the voluntary inspection program.
Any questions should be referred to the Technical Service Center at 1-800-233-3935.
Philip S. Derfler /s/
Assistant Administrator
Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development
DISTRIBUTION: Inspection Offices; T/A Inspectors; Plant Mgt; TRA; ABB; TSC; Import Offices NOTICE EXPIRES: 4/1/07 OPI: OPPED
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Notice_15-06/index.asp
TSS
USE OF NON-AMENABLE ANIMAL TISSUE IN INSPECTED PRODUCTS
This notice provides inspection program personnel with clarification regarding the use of non-amenable animal tissue in official inspected products. This notice addresses questions that FSIS has received regarding the use of non-amenable animal tissue. Also, this notice cancels any previous instructions (e.g., FSIS Notice 14-91, Use of Non-Amenable Species in Federally and State Inspected Products) regarding this subject.
Non-amenable animal tissue, for the purpose of this notice, means tissue from animals not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. It includes edible tissue from 1) exotic animals (reindeer, elk, deer, antelope, water buffalo, or bison) or hybrid animals showing predominant characteristics of non-amenable animals, (e.g., catalo); 2) rabbits; 3) migratory water fowl or game birds; and 4) other animals not under the scope of FSIS voluntary inspection, e.g., alligator, kangaroo.
For many years, FSIS policy (FSIS Notice 14-91) was that tissues from non-amenable species had to originate from one of three FSIS recognized approved sources (FSIS voluntarily inspected, state inspected, or foreign government inspected). Questions have been raised about the statutory basis for this policy.
As a result, FSIS has reexamined the policy, and has concluded that non-amenable animal tissues do not need to bear a mark of inspection (Federal, State or Non-domestic) to be included in amenable meat or poultry products produced in official establishments. An establishment may use non-inspected non-amenable animal tissue in inspected meat and poultry products in accordance with 9 CFR 318.1(c), 318.6(a), and 424.21(a)(1). Inspection program personnel are to verify the proper use of non-inspected non-amenable animal tissue in the same manner that they verify the use of all ingredients covered under 9 CFR 318.1(c), 318.6(a), and 424.21(a)(1).
This FSIS notice does not add any new verification procedures for inspection program personnel to perform. It also does not change the scope or availability of the voluntary inspection program.
Any questions should be referred to the Technical Service Center at 1-800-233-3935.
Philip S. Derfler /s/
Assistant Administrator
Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development
DISTRIBUTION: Inspection Offices; T/A Inspectors; Plant Mgt; TRA; ABB; TSC; Import Offices NOTICE EXPIRES: 4/1/07 OPI: OPPED
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Notice_15-06/index.asp
TSS