9 C.F.R. PART 355—CERTIFIED PRODUCTS FOR DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER CARNIVORA; INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND IDENTIFICATION AS TO CLASS, QUALITY, QUANTITY, AND CONDITION
Title 9 - Animals and Animal Products
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624; 7 CFR 2.17 (g) and (i), 2.55.
Source: 23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965.
Words used in this part in the singular form shall be deemed to import the plural, and vice versa, as the case may demand. When used in this part unless otherwise distinctly expressed or manifestly incompatible with the intent thereof: (a) Person means any individual, partnership, association, business trust, corporation, or any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not. (b) Program means the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program of the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. (c) Circuit supervisor means an inspector of the Program assigned to supervise and perform official work at a circuit. Such inspector is assigned by and reports directly to the Administrator or other person designated by him. (d) Inspector means an inspector of the Program. (e) Inspected plant means any plant preparing certified products for dogs, cats, or other carnivora at which inspection is maintained under the regulations contained in this part. (f) Circuit means one or more inspected plants assigned to a circuit supervisor. (g) Animal protein supplement means a product containing animal protein and other elements normal to the component for use in compounding a maintenance food for dogs, cats, and other carnivora. (h) Products means the products for dogs, cats, and other carnivora marked, or to be marked, with the certification provided in this part. (i) Meat means the U.S. inspected and passed and so identified clean, wholesome muscle tissue of cattle, sheep, swine, or goats which is skeletal or which is found in the tongue, in the diaphragm, in the heart, or in the esophagus with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of skin, sinews, nerves, and blood vessels which normally accompany the muscle tissue and which are not separated from it in the process of dressing. It does not include the muscle found in the lips, snout, or ears. (j) Animal food meat by-product means the part other than meat which has been derived from one or more cattle, sheep, swine or goats that have been U.S. Inspected and Passed and is fit for use as animal food. (k) Horse meat means the U.S. inspected and passed and so identified clean, wholesome muscle tissue of horses which is skeletal or which is found in the tongue, in the diaphragm, in the heart, or in the esophagus, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of sinews, nerves, and blood vessels which normally accompany the muscle tissue and which are not separated from it in the process of dressing. (l) Animal food horse meat by-product means the part other than meat which has been derived from one or more horses that have been U.S. Inspected and Passed and is fit for use as animal food. (m) Mule meat means the clean, sound, healthful, wholesome muscle tissue derived from mules as determined by antemortem and postmortem inspection by an inspector in accordance with §355.41. It includes muscle tissue which is found in the tongue, in the diaphragm, in the heart or in the esophagus, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of sinews, nerves, and blood vessels which normally accompany the muscle tissue and which are not separated from it in the process of dressing. (n) Animal food mule meat by-product means the part other than meat which has been derived from one or more mules that have been handled in accordance with §355.41 and is fit for use as animal food. (o) Bone means the U.S. inspected and passed and so identified clean, wholesome bone which has been derived from cattle, sheep, swine, goats or horses, or bone derived from mules slaughtered and passed under Program inspection in accordance with §355.41. (p) Poultry means any domesticated bird slaughtered in accordance with the Poultry Products Inspection Act, Public Law 85–172, 85th Congress, S. 1747, dated August 28, 1957 (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). (q) Poultry product means any edible part of fresh poultry which have been slaughtered for human food and from which the blood, feathers, feet, head and viscera have been removed in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture. (r) Administrator. The Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead. (s) Whale meat means the muscle tissue of whales which is fit for use in animal food. (t) Fish means the whole or part of any aquatic, water breathing vertebrates, commonly designated as fish, which is fit for use in animal food. (u) Animal food poultry byproduct means any portion of carcasses of poultry slaughtered under inspection and passed in accordance with the Poultry Products Inspection Act which is fit for use in animal food. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958, as amended at 25 FR 1356, Feb. 1960; 29 FR 18418, Dec. 25, 1964. Redesignated and amended at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965; 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967; 33 FR 6707, May 2, 1968] Upon application, inspection may be granted at a plant where products are to be prepared, when the Administrator has determined that the application conforms to and the plant meets with the requirements of this part. The owner or operator of any plant of the kind specified in §355.3 may apply to the Administrator for inspection, certification, and identification. In cases of change of ownership or change of location, new applications shall be made. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 47 FR 746, Jan. 7, 1982] Triplicate copies of complete drawings with specifications, consisting of floor plans showing the locations of such features as the principal pieces of equipment, floor drains, principal drainage lines, hand-washing basins, and hose connections for cleanup purposes; elevations; roof plans when necessary to show size and location of skylights and the like; cross and longitudinal sections of the various buildings, showing such features as principal pieces of equipment, heights of ceilings, conveyor rails, and character of floors, walls, and ceilings; and a plot plan showing relationship of various departments and structures of the plants, properly drawn to scale, shall accompany applications. Where complete approved drawings and specifications are available in the files of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, covering a plant operating under the supervision of that Program, it will not be necessary that drawings and specifications accompany an application made under this part for inspection at such plant. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958. Redesignated and amended at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965; 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967] The Administrator will determine whether applications shall be granted or refused. When an application for inspection, certification, and identification is granted, the circuit supervisor shall, at or prior to the inauguration of inspection, inform the owner or operator of the plant of the requirements of the regulations contained in this part. Inspection shall not be begun if a plant is not in a sanitary condition. The applicant shall adopt and enforce all necessary measures and shall comply with all such directions as the circuit supervisor may prescribe for carrying out the purposes of this part. To each plant granted inspection an official number shall be assigned. Such number shall be preceded by the letter “A” and used to identify all certified products prepared in the plant. Two or more official plants under the same ownership or control may be granted the same official number, provided a serial letter is added after the number in each case to identify the plant. The Administrator shall designate a circuit supervisor of the inspection at each circuit and assign to him such assistants as may be necessary. Applicants for the inspection, certification, and identification shall reimburse the department for salary, travel cost, per diem allowance, and the like, expended incidental to any survey of the premises for which the inspection is requested, and in connection with any review of plans which may be made. The fees to be charged and collected by the Administrator shall be at the rates specified in §§391.2, 391.3, and 391.4 respectively for base time; for overtime, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; and for certain laboratory services which are not covered under the base time, overtime, and/or holiday costs. Such fees shall reimburse the Service for the cost of the inspection service furnished. [54 FR 6390, Feb. 10, 1989] Sanitary facilities and accommodations shall be furnished by every inspected plant. Of these the following are specifically required: (a) Dressing rooms, toilet rooms, and urinals shall be sufficient in number, ample in size, and conveniently located. They shall be properly lighted and ventilated and of sanitary construction. They shall be separate from the rooms and compartments in which certified products are prepared, stored or handled. (b) Modern hand-washing basins, including running hot and cold water, soap and towels shall be placed in or near toilet rooms. (c) Toilet soil lines shall be separate from house drainage lines to a point outside the buildings and drainage from toilet soil lines shall not be discharged into a grease catchbasin. (d) Properly located facilities shall be provided for cleansing utensils and hands of all persons handling or preparing any products to be certified. (e) Equipment and utensils used for preparing any products to be certified shall be of such material and construction as will make them susceptible of being readily and thoroughly cleaned. (f) Trucks and receptacles used for inedible materials shall be of such construction as to permit ready and thorough cleansing, shall bear a conspicuous and distinctive mark, and shall be used exclusively for handling inedible material. (g) Rooms, compartments, places, equipment and utensils used for preparing, storing or otherwise handling any certified products, and all other parts of the inspected plant, shall be kept clean. There shall be no handling or storing of materials which creates an objectionable condition in rooms, compartments or places where certified products are prepared, stored or otherwise handled. Adequate facilities for the preparation and inspection of the products to be certified shall be furnished and maintained by the inspected plant. Of these the following are specifically required: (a) A room or compartment adequately equipped for locking or sealing shall be provided for holding products prepared for certification or material used in their preparation which are identified as “U.S. retained,” and such rooms and compartments shall be conspicuously marked with the phrase “U.S. retained” prominently displayed. (b) Adequate facilities, including denaturing materials, for the proper disposal of condemned articles including carcasses, parts of carcasses and other materials, shall be provided. (c) Rooms or compartments adequate in size and properly equipped for holding samples of canned products prepared for certification under incubation, shall be maintained at the temperature specified in §355.25(i). (d) Furnished office room, including light, heat, janitor, and laundry service shall be provided rent free for the exclusive use of the inspector. These facilities shall be set apart for this purpose and provided with lockers suitable for the protection and storage of program supplies. Laundering of inspectors' outer work clothing shall be provided by the management of inspected plants. All operating and storage rooms and departments of inspected plants used for inedible material shall be maintained in clean condition, and shall be separate and apart from rooms and departments where certified products are prepared, handled, or stored. Docks and areas where cars and vehicles are loaded, and driveways, approaches and alleyways shall be properly paved and drained and the outer premises of every inspected plant shall be kept in clean and orderly condition. All catchbasins on the premises shall be of such construction and location and shall be given such attention as will insure their being kept in acceptable condition as regards odors and cleanliness. The accumulation on the premises of any material in which flies may breed, or the maintenance of any nuisance on the premises shall not be allowed. Flies, rats, mice, and other vermin shall be excluded from inspected plants and premises. When necessary, inspectors shall attach a “U.S. rejected” tag to any equipment or utensil which is unclean or the use of which would be in conflict with the provisions of this part. No equipment or utensil so tagged shall again be used until made acceptable under this part and until removal of the tag. Such tag shall not be removed from the equipment or utensil by anyone other than an inspector. Triplicate copies of complete drawings and specifications for remodeling inspected plants or for new structures at such plants shall be submitted to the Administrator and approval obtained for the plans in advance of construction. The management of an inspected plant shall inform the inspector or the circuit supervisor when work in each department has been concluded for the day, and the day and hour when work will be resumed therein. There shall be no preparation of certified products at an inspected plant except under the supervision of an inspector. For the purpose of examination or inspection necessary to enforce any of the provisions of this part, inspectors shall have access at all times by day or night, whether the plant is being operated or not, to every part of an inspected plant. All products of a kind certified under this part or materials to be used in the preparation of such products when brought into an inspected plant shall be identified and inspected at the time of receipt and be subject to further inspection in such manner and at such time as may be deemed necessary. If, upon inspection, any such article is found to be unsound or otherwise unfit, it shall be handled as provided in §355.28. Certified products returned to an inspected plant shall be received at a dock or place specifically designated for the purpose by the plant management with the approval of the circuit supervisor. Such returned products shall be inspected there by the inspector before further entering the plant. A “U.S. Retained” tag shall be placed by an inspector at the time of inspection on all certified products, materials to be used in the preparation of certified products, or containers thereof, whenever such certified products, materials, or containers are suspected of being unsound or otherwise unfit or not in conformity with the requirements contained in this part. Such tags so placed shall not be removed by anyone other than an inspector. All processes used in the preparation of the certified products shall be supervised by an inspector. All steps in the process of manufacture shall be conducted carefully and with strict cleanliness. Inspected plants shall not prepare products of a kind certified under this part unless they conform with the regulations contained in this part. (a) Containers shall be cleaned thoroughly immediately before filling, and precaution must be taken to avoid soiling the inner surfaces subsequently. (b) The inside surfaces of containers of metal, glass, or other material shall be washed by spraying in an inverted position with running water at a temperature of at least 180 °F. The container washing equipment shall be provided with a thermometer to register the temperature of the water used for cleaning the containers. (c) Perfect closure is required for hermetically sealed containers. Heat processing shall follow promptly after closing. (d) Careful inspection shall be made of the containers by competent plant employees immediately after closing, and containers which are defectively filled or defectively closed, or which show inadequate vacuum, shall not be further processed until the defect has been corrected. The containers shall again be inspected by plant employees when they have cooled sufficiently for handling after processing by heating. The contents of defective containers shall be condemned unless correction of the defect is accomplished within six hours following the sealing of the containers or completion of the heat processing, as the case may be, except that (1) if the defective condition is discovered during an afternoon run the cans of product may be held in coolers at a temperature not exceeding 38 °F. under conditions that will promptly and effectively chill them until the following day when the defect may be corrected; and (2) short vacuum or overstuffed cans of products which have not been handled in accordance with the above may be incubated as provided in paragraph (i) of this section in the inspected plant under Program supervision, after which the cans shall be opened and the sound products passed. (e) Canned products shall not be passed unless, after cooling to atmospheric temperature, they show the external characteristic of sound cans; that is, the cans shall not be overfilled, the ends of the cans shall be concave, there shall be no bulging of the cans, the sides and ends of the cans shall conform to the products, and there shall be no slack or loose tin in the cans. (f) All canned products shall be plainly and permanently marked on the containers by code or otherwise with the identity of the contents and date of canning. The code used and its meaning shall be on record in the office of the circuit supervisor before use. (g) The canned products must be processed at such temperature and for such period of time as will assure keeping without refrigeration under usual conditions of storage and transportation as evidenced by the incubation test. (h) Lots of canned products shall be identified during their handling preparatory to and during heat processing by tagging the baskets or cages in which the cans are being conveyed, with a tag which will change color on going through the heat processing or by other effective means so as to insure the proper channeling of the products for effective heat processing after closing the cans. (i) Facilities shall be provided to incubate at least representative samples of the fully processed canned products. The incubation shall consist of holding the canned products for at least 10 days at about 98 °F. The extent to which incubation tests shall be required by inspectors depends on conditions such as the record of the inspected plant in conducting canning operations, the extent to which the plant furnishes competent supervision and inspection in connection with the canning operations, the character of the equipment used, and the degree to which such equipment is maintained at maximum efficiency. Such factors shall be considered by the circuit supervisor in determining the extent of incubation testing at a particular plant. In the event of failure by an inspected plant to provide suitable facilities for incubation of test samples, the circuit supervisor may require holding of the entire lot under such conditions and for such period of time as may, in his discretion, be necessary to establish the stability of the canned products. The circuit supervisor may permit lots of canned certified products to be shipped from the inspected plant prior to completion of sample incubation when he has no reason to suspect unsoundness in the particular lots, and under circumstances which will assure the return of the products to the plant for inspection should such action be indicated by the incubation results. Samples of certified products, water, chemicals, flavorings or other articles in an inspected plant shall be taken without cost to the Program for an examination as often as may be deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of the inspection. The frequency of sampling shall be determined by the needs of the inspection. Inspectors shall report to the circuit supervisor violations of or failures to conform with these regulations which occur at inspected plants, and the circuit supervisor shall report the same to the Administrator. Subject to §355.41, any certified products, or ingredients intended for use therein, which are decomposed or adulterated or otherwise unsound or unfit for use shall be condemned and destroyed, except that if the adulteration is such as will not preclude their legitimate use for some purpose other than the preparation of the certified products, they may be released by authorized inspectors for such other purpose for disposition under the supervision of the proper local, State, or Federal official. The operator of the inspected plant shall make such arrangement as may be necessary with the proper officials for the disposition of the article. (a) Composition of canned or semi-moist certified maintenance food. (1) Only ingredients which are normal to canned or semi-moist food for dogs, cats, and other carnivora, which are favorable to adequate nutrition, and which are classed by the Administrator as conforming with requirements contained in this part shall be used in the preparation of certified maintenance food. (2) Not less than 30 percent of meat or animal food meat byproduct or both, or of horse meat or animal food horse meat byproduct or both, or of mule meat or animal food mule meat byproduct or both, or of poultry products, shall be used in the preparation of canned or semimoist certified maintenance food. Upon specific approval of the Administrator, combinations of the above specified ingredients may be used. The uncooked weight of the meat or animal food meat byproduct or both, or of the horse meat or animal food horse meat byproduct or both, or of the mule meat or animal food mule meat byproduct or both, or of the poultry products, or of the combinations thereof, shall be used in the calculation, and the percentage shall be obtained by relating this weight to the total weight of the certified maintenance food. (3) Certified maintenance food shall contain not less than 10 percent of protein. (4) Certified maintenance food shall contain a level of minerals and vitamins generally recognized to be essential to the nutritional value of the food. (5) Vegetables and grains and their derivatives, used as ingredients of certified maintenance food, shall be of good quality, shall be free from discoloration, mold, smut, and insect infestation, and shall be otherwise fit for use as animal food. (6) Inedible material such as tankage, dried blood, bone meal, and the like shall not be used as ingredients of certified maintenance food. (7) Semi-moist certified maintenance food shall have a soft granular consistency, shall be shelf stable, and shall be processed so that the moisture content thereof does not exceed 27 percent of the net weight of such food. (b) Composition of canned or fresh frozen certified supplemental animal foods. (1) Certified animal protein supplement shall comply with the following requirements: (i) Certified animal protein supplement shall contain not less than 95 percent of meat or animal food meat byproduct or both, or of horse meat or animal food horse meat byproduct or both, or of mule meat or animal food mule meat byproduct or both, or of poultry products. Upon specific approval of the Administrator, combinations of the above specified ingredients may be used; (ii) Certified animal protein supplement shall have added thereto a sufficient amount of fresh ground bone or other acceptable agent to satisfy the requirements of the regulations promulgated under the Meat Inspection Act (34 Stat. 1260), as amended (21 U.S.C. 71 et seq.), and the Horse Meat Act (41 Stat. 241; 21 U.S.C. 96), in order to insure decharacterization of the product for human food purposes; (iii) Certified animal protein supplement may contain not more than 3 percent wheat flour or other processing aid acceptable to the Administrator, which shall be of good quality, shall be free from insect infestation, and shall be otherwise fit for use as animal food; (iv) Certified animal protein supplement shall contain not less than 15 percent protein; and (v) Certified animal protein supplement shall contain not less than 3 percent fat. (2) Certified pet food supplement shall comply with the following requirements: (i) Certified pet food supplement shall contain not less than 50 percent of meat or animal food meat byproduct or both, or of horse meat or animal food horse meat byproduct or both, or of mule meat or animal food mule meat byproduct or both, or of poultry products. Upon specific approval of the Administrator, combinations of the above specified ingredients may be used; (ii) Certified pet food supplement shall have added thereto a sufficient amount of fresh ground bone or other acceptable agent to satisfy the requirements of the regulations promulgated under the Meat Inspection Act (34 Stat. 1260), as amended (21 U.S.C. 71 et seq.), and the Horse Meat Act (41 Stat. 241; 21 U.S.C. 96), in order to insure decharacterization of the product for human food purposes; (iii) Certified pet food supplement may contain various cereals, flours, vegetables, flavorings, seasonings and other processing aids acceptable to the Administrator which shall be of good quality, shall be free from discoloration, mold, smut, and insect infestation, and shall be otherwise fit for use as animal food; (iv) Certified pet food supplement shall contain not less than 11 percent protein; (v) Certified pet food supplement shall contain not less than 3 percent fat; and (vi) Certified pet food supplement may not contain more than 74 percent moisture. (c) Composition of canned certified variety pet food. (1) Certified variety pet food shall contain not less than 25 percent of meat or animal food meat byproduct or both, or of horse meat or animal food horse meat byproduct or both, or of mule meat or animal food mule meat byproduct or both, or of poultry products. Upon specific approval of the Administrator, combinations of the above specified ingredients may be used. (2) Certified variety pet food shall contain a variety of vegetables and may contain other ingredients which are favorable to adequate nutrition. (3) Vegetables and grains and their derivatives used as ingredients of certified variety pet food shall be of good quality, shall be free from discoloration, mold, smut, and insect infestation, and shall be otherwise fit for use as animal food. (4) Certified variety pet food shall contain not less than 8 percent protein. (5) Certified variety pet food shall contain not less than 2 percent fat. (6) Certified variety pet food may contain not more than 75 percent moisture. (d) Certified products for dogs, cats, and other carnivora may contain whale meat, fish, and animal food poultry byproducts or combinations thereof as optional ingredients in lieu of some but not all of the ingredients named in paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(1)(i), and (c)(1) of this section, respectively, upon specific approval of the Administrator. [26 FR 3984, May 9, 1961, as amended at 29 FR 9819, July 22, 1964; 29 FR 18419, Dec. 25, 1964. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 30 FR 10284, Aug. 19, 1965; 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967; 33 FR 6707, May 2, 1968] No container which bears or is to bear a label as provided for under this part shall be filled in whole or in part except with certified products which have been inspected in compliance with this part, which are sound, healthful, wholesome, and otherwise fit for dogs, cats, and other carnivora, and which are strictly in accordance with the statements on the label. No such container shall be filled in whole or in part and no such label shall be affixed thereto except under the supervision of an inspector. Each container of inspected and certified product shall have affixed thereto a label bearing the following information, prominently displayed: (a) The name of the product, class of product, ingredient statement, and the animal foods inspection legend in the manner provided by paragraphs (a) (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this section. (1) The name of the canned or semimoist certified food shall include words such as “dog food,” “cat food,” “dog and cat food,” or “fox food,” accompanied with such references to optional ingredients as may be required by the Administrator under this part. Product names shall not be misleading in regard to class of canned or semi-moist certified food for which label is intended. (2) Class of product as outlined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of §355.29 shall be declared on either the main display or 20 percent panel of the label. (3) The word “ingredients,” followed by a complete list of ingredients of the food in the order of their predominance and by their common or usual names, shall appear on the label with the name of the food. (4) The inspection legend for canned, semi-moist or frozen certified animal food shall appear on the label in the form shown herewith, except that the plant number need not appear with the legend when such number is embossed on the sealed metal container as provided in §355.33. (5) When a product is prepared in whole from any of the items defined in §355.2 (i) through (n), its name shall identify the item and there shall appear contiguous to the name of the item the name of the decharacterizing agent used, followed by the word “added” as, for example, “bone added.” (6) When wheat flour or other processing aid is added to the product, there shall appear on the label, with the name of the decharacterizing agent, in predominating order, the name of the processing aid, as, for example, “Wheat flour and bone added” or “Bone and wheat flour added.” (b) A statement of the quantity of contents of the container, representing in terms of avoirdupois weight the quantity of product in the container. (c) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. The name under which inspection is granted to a plant may appear without qualification on the label of a product prepared by that plant. When the certified product is not prepared by the person whose name appears on the label, the name shall be qualified by a phrase which reveals the connection such person has with the product as, for example, “Prepared for __________.” [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958, as amended at 25 FR 1357, Feb. 16, 1960; 26 FR 3984, May 9, 1961; 29 FR 9819, July 22, 1964. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967] The official number assigned to an inspected plant under §355.8 shall be embossed on all sealed metal containers of certified products filled in such plant, except that such containers which bear labels lithographed directly on the container and in which the plant number is incorporated need not have the plant number embossed thereon. Labels and embossed code identification shall be affixed so as not to obscure the embossed plant number. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958. Redesignated and amended at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965; 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967; 38 FR 29215, Oct. 23, 1973] (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no label shall be used on any container of certified products until it has been approved by the Administrator. For the convenience of the inspected plant, sketches or proofs of proposed labels may be submitted in triplicate to the Administrator for approval, and the preparation of the finished labels deferred until such approval is obtained. All finished labels shall be submitted in quadruplicate to the Administrator for approval. In the case of lithographed labels, paper take-offs in lieu of sections of the metal containers shall be submitted for approval. Such paper take-offs shall not be in the form of a negative but shall be a complete reproduction of the label as it will appear on the package, including any color scheme involved. (b) Inserts, tags, liners, pasters, and like devices containing printed or graphic matter for use on, or to be placed within, containers and coverings of certified products shall be submitted for approval in the same manner as provided for labels in paragraph (a) of this section, except that inspectors in charge may permit the use of such devices if they contain no reference to the certified products and bear no misleading feature. (c) Stencils, labels, box dies, and brands may be used on shipping containers, including tierces, barrels, drums, boxes, crates, and large-size fiberboard containers, without approval by the Administrator, provided the markings are applicable to the certified products, are not false or deceptive, and are used with the approval of the circuit supervisor. (d) No certified product and no container thereof shall be labeled with any false or deceptive term, and no statement, word, picture, design, or device which conveys any false impression or gives any false indication of the origin, quality, or quantity of the product shall appear on any label. The label information required by §355.32 shall be displayed on the principal panel or panels of the label except that label information other than the name of the product and the ingredient statement may be displayed on a panel immediately adjacent to the principal panel or panels if such supplemental panel consists of at least 20 percent of the label and is reserved exclusively for required labeling information. At least once each year, each inspected plant shall submit to the Administrator, in quadruplicate, a list of approvals for labels that have become obsolete, accompanied by a statement that such approvals are no longer desired. The approvals shall be identified by the number, the date of approval, and the name of the product. The statement of certification provided for by §355.32(a)(4) shall not be altered, defaced, imitated, or simulated in any respect or used for the purpose of misrepresentation or deception. [25 FR 1357, Feb. 16, 1960. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965] After opportunity for hearing before a proper official of the Department has been accorded the operator of an inspected plant, the inspection, certification, and identification provided for in this part may be withdrawn from such plant if the operator: (a) Persistently fails to comply with any provision of the regulations in this part or of instructions or directions issued thereunder; (b) makes any willful misrepresentation or engages in any fraudulent or deceptive practice in connection with the making of any application for service; (c) violates §355.37; or (d) interferes with or obstructs any program employee in the performance of his duties under the regulations in this part by intimidation, threats, or other improper means. Pending final determination of the matter, the Administrator may suspend such inspection, certification, and identification without hearing in cases of willfulness or those in which the public health, interest, or safety requires such action. The operator of the inspected plant shall be notified of the Administrator's decision to suspend such inspection, certification or identification service, and the reasons therefor, in writing, in the manner prescribed in §1.147(b) of the rules of practice (7 CFR 1.147(b)), or orally. The Administrator's decision to suspend such inspection, certification or identification service shall be effective upon such oral or written notification, whichever is earlier, to the operator of the plant. If such notification is oral, the Administrator shall confirm such decision and the reasons therefor, in writing, as promptly as circumstances permit, and such written confirmation shall be served upon the operator of the inspected plant, in the manner prescribed in §1.147(b) of the rules of practice (7 CFR 1.147(b)). In other cases, prior to the institution of proceedings for any withdrawal or suspension, the facts or conduct which may warrant such action shall be called to the attention of the operator in writing and he shall be given an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with the requirements of the regulations in this part and instructions and directions issued thereunder. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 43 FR 11148, Mar. 17, 1978] Any appeal from a decision by an employee of the Program shall be made to his immediate superior having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the appeal. Each day the operator of every inspected plant shall furnish the inspector assigned to that plant with a statement of the number of pounds of product certified by the inspector. [23 FR 10107, Dec. 23, 1958. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 47 FR 746, Jan. 7, 1982] (a)(1) An antemortem examination and inspection shall be made of all mules about to be slaughtered for use in the preparation of products under this part, before their slaughter shall be allowed for such use. Such inspection shall be made on the day of slaughter. (2) Mules found on such inspection to show symptoms of disease shall be set apart and slaughtered separately. Those found to be affected with strangles, purpura hemorrhagica, azoturia, infectious equine encephalomyelitis, toxic encephalomyelitis (forage poisoning), infectious anemia (swamp fever), dourine, acute influenza, generalized osteoporosis, glanders, farcy, or other malignant disorder, acute inflammatory lameness or extensive fistula, shall be condemned and destroyed. Any mule which is suspected on antemortem inspection of being infected with glanders shall be tested with mallein, and any mule which on physical examination is suspected of being affected with dourine shall be held for further examination or for such test as the Administrator may prescribe. (b)(1) A careful postmortem examination and inspection shall be made of all carcasses and parts thereof of all mules inspected under this section, at the time of slaughter. All carcasses and parts of mules found to be affected with any disease listed under paragraph (a) of this section shall be condemned and destroyed. (2) Other carcasses and parts of mules found abnormal or diseased upon inspection under this section shall be disposed of in accordance with such provisions of the Meat Inspection Regulations (Subchapter A of this chapter) as are deemed applicable by the Administrator. All mule meat and animal food mule meat by-product inspected under this part shall be marked and identified as the Administrator may require in any particular case. [25 FR 1357, Feb. 16, 1960. Redesignated at 30 FR 4195, Mar. 31, 1965, and amended at 32 FR 13115, Sept. 15, 1967] The rules of practice of the Department of Agriculture in subpart H of part I, subtitle A, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are the rules of practice applicable to adjudicatory, admininstrative proceedings under the regulations in this part (9 CFR part 355). [43 FR 11148, Mar. 17, 1978]
Title 9: Animals and Animal Products
PART 355—CERTIFIED PRODUCTS FOR DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER CARNIVORA; INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND IDENTIFICATION AS TO CLASS, QUALITY, QUANTITY, AND CONDITION
Section Contents
Definitions
§ 355.1 Meaning of words.
§ 355.2 Terms defined.
Scope of Inspection Service
§ 355.3 Plants eligible for inspection.
Application for Inspection, Certification, and Identification
§ 355.4 Application.
§ 355.5 Drawings.
§ 355.6 Review of applications.
Inauguration of Inspection
§ 355.7 Inauguration of inspection.
§ 355.8 Official number.
§ 355.9 Numbers granted same ownership or control.
§ 355.10 Assignment of inspectors.
Fees
§ 355.11 Charge for survey.
§ 355.12 Charge for service.
Sanitation and Facilities
§ 355.13 Sanitation.
§ 355.14 Facilities.
§ 355.15 Inedible material operating and storage rooms; outer premises, docks, driveways, etc.; fly-breeding material; nuisances.
§ 355.16 Control of flies, rats, mice, etc.
§ 355.17 Tagging equipment “U.S. rejected.”
§ 355.18 Drawings and specifications to be furnished.
Inspection Procedure
§ 355.19 Inspector to be informed when plant operates.
§ 355.20 Inspector to have access to plant at all times.
§ 355.21 Products entering inspected plants.
§ 355.22 Designation of place of receipt of returned products.
§ 355.23 Tagging products “U.S. retained.”
§ 355.24 Processes to be supervised.
§ 355.25 Canning with heat processing and hermetically sealed containers; closures; code marking; heat processing; incubation.
§ 355.26 Samples of certified products, ingredients, etc., to be taken for examination.
§ 355.27 Reports of violations of regulations.
Disposal of Condemned Material
§ 355.28 Unfit material to be condemned.
Composition of Certified Products
§ 355.29 Composition of certified products for dogs, cats, and other carnivora.
Supervision
§ 355.31 Supervision by inspector.
Labeling
§ 355.32 Labeling required.
§ 355.33 Plant number to be embossed on metal containers.
§ 355.34 Labels, approval of, by Administrator.
§ 355.35 Label information to be displayed on principal panel.
§ 355.36 Obsolete labels.
§ 355.37 Alteration or limitation of statement of certification.
Penalties
§ 355.38 Withdrawal of service.
Appeals
§ 355.39 Appeals from decisions made under this part.
Reports
§ 355.40 Plants to furnish information for reports.
Mule Meat and Animal Food, Mule Meat By-Product
§ 355.41 Antemortem and postmortem inspection for mules.
§ 355.42 Marking of mule meat and animal food mule meat by-product.
§ 355.43 Scope and applicability of rules of practice.
Definitions
top
§ 355.1 Meaning of words.
top
§ 355.2 Terms defined.
top
Scope of Inspection Service
top
§ 355.3 Plants eligible for inspection.
top
Application for Inspection, Certification, and Identification
top
§ 355.4 Application.
top
§ 355.5 Drawings.
top
§ 355.6 Review of applications.
top
Inauguration of Inspection
top
§ 355.7 Inauguration of inspection.
top
§ 355.8 Official number.
top
§ 355.9 Numbers granted same ownership or control.
top
§ 355.10 Assignment of inspectors.
top
Fees
top
§ 355.11 Charge for survey.
top
§ 355.12 Charge for service.
top
Sanitation and Facilities
top
§ 355.13 Sanitation.
top
§ 355.14 Facilities.
top
§ 355.15 Inedible material operating and storage rooms; outer premises, docks, driveways, etc.; fly-breeding material; nuisances.
top
§ 355.16 Control of flies, rats, mice, etc.
top
§ 355.17 Tagging equipment “U.S. rejected.”
top
§ 355.18 Drawings and specifications to be furnished.
top
Inspection Procedure
top
§ 355.19 Inspector to be informed when plant operates.
top
§ 355.20 Inspector to have access to plant at all times.
top
§ 355.21 Products entering inspected plants.
top
§ 355.22 Designation of place of receipt of returned products.
top
§ 355.23 Tagging products “U.S. retained.”
top
§ 355.24 Processes to be supervised.
top
§ 355.25 Canning with heat processing and hermetically sealed containers; closures; code marking; heat processing; incubation.
top
§ 355.26 Samples of certified products, ingredients, etc., to be taken for examination.
top
§ 355.27 Reports of violations of regulations.
top
Disposal of Condemned Material
top
§ 355.28 Unfit material to be condemned.
top
Composition of Certified Products
top
§ 355.29 Composition of certified products for dogs, cats, and other carnivora.
top
Supervision
top
§ 355.31 Supervision by inspector.
top
Labeling
top
§ 355.32 Labeling required.
top
§ 355.33 Plant number to be embossed on metal containers.
top
§ 355.34 Labels, approval of, by Administrator.
top
§ 355.35 Label information to be displayed on principal panel.
top
§ 355.36 Obsolete labels.
top
§ 355.37 Alteration or limitation of statement of certification.
top
Penalties
top
§ 355.38 Withdrawal of service.
top
Appeals
top
§ 355.39 Appeals from decisions made under this part.
top
Reports
top
§ 355.40 Plants to furnish information for reports.
top
Mule Meat and Animal Food, Mule Meat By-Product
top
§ 355.41 Antemortem and postmortem inspection for mules.
top
§ 355.42 Marking of mule meat and animal food mule meat by-product.
top
§ 355.43 Scope and applicability of rules of practice.
top
