9 C.F.R. PART 327—IMPORTED PRODUCTS


Title 9 - Animals and Animal Products


Title 9: Animals and Animal Products

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PART 327—IMPORTED PRODUCTS

Section Contents
§ 327.1   Definitions; application of provisions.
§ 327.2   Eligibility of foreign countries for importation of products into the United States.
§ 327.3   No product to be imported without compliance with applicable regulations.
§ 327.4   Imported products; foreign certificates required.
§ 327.5   Importer to make application for inspection of products for entry; information required; “streamlined” inspection procedures for Canadian product.
§ 327.6   Products for importation; program inspection, time and place; application for approval of facilities as official import inspection establishment; refusal or withdrawal of approval; official numbers.
§ 327.7   Products for importation; movement prior to inspection; handling; bond; assistance.
§ 327.8   Import products; equipment and means of conveyance used in handling to be maintained in sanitary condition.
§ 327.9   Burlap wrapping for foreign meat.
§ 327.10   Samples; inspection of consignments; refusal of entry; marking.
§ 327.11   Receipts to importers for import product samples.
§ 327.12   Foreign canned or packaged products bearing trade labels; sampling and inspection.
§ 327.13   Foreign products offered for importation; reporting of findings to customs; handling of articles refused entry.
§ 327.14   Marking of products and labeling of immediate containers thereof for importation.
§ 327.15   Outside containers of foreign products; marking and labeling; application of official inspection legend.
§ 327.16   Small importations for importer's own consumption; requirements.
§ 327.17   Returned U.S. inspected and marked products.
§ 327.18   Products offered for entry and entered to be handled and transported as domestic; exception.
§ 327.19   Specimens for laboratory examination and similar purposes.
§ 327.20   Importation of foreign inedible fats.
§ 327.21   Inspection procedures for chilled fresh and frozen boneless manufacturing meat.
§ 327.22   [Reserved]
§ 327.23   Compliance procedure for cured pork products offered for entry.
§ 327.24   Appeals; how made.
§ 327.25   Disposition procedures for product condemned or ordered destroyed under import inspection.
§ 327.26   Official import inspection marks and devices.


Authority:  21 U.S.C. 601–695; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53.

Source:  35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, unless otherwise noted.

§ 327.1   Definitions; application of provisions.
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(a) When used in this part, the following terms shall be construed to mean:

(1) Import (imported). To bring within the territorial limits of the United States whether that arrival is accomplished by land, air, or water.

(2) For product from eligible countries other than Canada:

(i) Offer(ed) for entry. The point at which the importer presents the imported product to the Program for reinspection.

(ii) Entry (entered). The point at which imported product offered for entry receives reinspection and is marked with the offical mark of inspection in accordance with §327.26 of this subchapter.

(3) For product from Canada:

(i) Offer(ed) for entry from establishments participating in the “streamlined” inspection procedures. The point at which an official of the Canadian meat inspection system contacts the Import Field Office for an inspection assignment.

(ii) Offer(ed) for entry from nonparticipating establishments. The point at which the importer presents the imported product to the Program for reinspection.

(iii) Entry (entered) for product not subject to reinspection. When the containers or the products themselves if not in containers are marked with the Canadian port stamp and upon the filing of Customs Form 7533 at the port of entry or at the nearest customhouse in accordance with 19 CFR part 123.

(iv) Entry (entered) for product subject to reinspection. When the containers or the products themselves if not in containers are marked with the Canadian export stamp and the foreign inspection certificate accompanying the product is stamped as “Inspected and Passed” by the import inspector.

(b) The provisions of this part shall apply to products derived from cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines, if capable of use as human food. Compliance with the conditions for importation of products under this part does not excuse the need for compliance with applicable requirements under other laws, including the provisions in parts 94, 95, and 96 of chapter I of this title.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 36 FR 12004, June 24, 1971; 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.2   Eligibility of foreign countries for importation of products into the United States.
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Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 43960, Aug. 3, 2006.

(a)(1) Whenever it shall be determined by the Administrator that the system of meat inspection maintained by any foreign country, with respect to establishments preparing products in such country for export to the United States, insures compliance of such establishments and their products with requirements equivalent to all the inspection, building construction standards, and all other provisions of the Act and the regulations in this subchapter which are applied to official establishments in the United States, and their products, and that reliance can be placed upon certificates required under this part from authorities of such foreign country, notice of that fact will be given by including the name of such foreign country in paragraph (b) of this section. Thereafter, products prepared in such establishments which are certified and approved in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section, shall be eligible so far as this subchapter is concerned for importation into the United States from such foreign country after applicable requirements of this subchapter have been met.

(2) The determination of acceptability of a foreign meat inspection system for purposes of this section shall be based on an evaluation of the foreign program in accordance with the following requirements and procedures:

(i) The system shall have a program organized and administered by the national government of the foreign country. The system as implemented must provide standards equivalent to those of the Federal system of meat inspection in the United States with respect to:

(A) Organizational structure and staffing, so as to insure uniform enforcement of the requisite laws and regulations in all establishments throughout the system at which products are prepared for export to the United States;

(B) Ultimate control and supervision by the national government over the official activities of all employees or licensees of the system;

(C) The assignment of competent, qualified inspectors;

(D) Authority and responsibility of national inspection officials to enforce the requisite laws and regulations governing meat inspection and to certify or refuse to certify products intended for export;

(E) Adequate administrative and technical support;

(F) The inspection, sanitation, quality, species verification, and residue standards applied to products produced in the United States.

(G) Other requirements of adequate inspection service as required by the regulations in this subchapter.

(ii) The legal authority for the system and the regulations thereunder shall impose requirements equivalent to those governing the system of meat inspection organized and maintained in the United States with respect to:

(A) Ante-mortem inspection of animals for slaughter and inspection of methods of slaughtering and handling in connection with slaughtering which shall be performed by veterinarians or by other employees or licensees of the system under the direct supervision of the veterinarians;

(B) Post-mortem inspection of carcasses and parts thereof at time of slaughter, performed by veterinarians or other employees or licensees of the system under the direct supervision of veterinarians;

(C) Official controls by the national government over establishment construction, facilities, and equipment;

(D) Direct and continuous official supervision of slaughtering and preparation of product, by the assignment of inspectors to establishments certified under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, to assure that adulterated or misbranded product is not prepared for export to the United States;

(E) Complete separation of establishments certified under subparagraph (3) of this paragraph from establishments not certified and the maintenance of a single standard of inspection and sanitation throughout all certified establishments;

(F) Requirements for sanitation at certified establishments and for sanitary handling of product;

(G) Official controls over condemned material until destroyed or removed and thereafter excluded from the establishment;

(H) A Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, as set forth in part 417 of this chapter.

(I) Other matters for which requirements are contained in the Act or regulations in this subchapter.

(iii) Countries desiring to establish eligibility for importation of product into the United States may request a determination of eligibility by presenting copies of the laws and regulations on which the foreign meat inspection system is based and such other information as the Administrator may require with respect to matters enumerated in paragraphs (a)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section. Determination of eligibility is based on a study of the documents and other information presented and an initial review of the system in operation by a representative of the Department using the criteria listed in paragraphs (a)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section. Maintenance of eligibility of a country for importation of products into the United States depends on the results of periodic reviews of the foreign meat inspection system in operation by a representative of the Department, and the timely submission of such documents and other information related to the conduct of the foreign inspection system, including information required by paragraph (e) of section 20 of the Act, as the Administrator may find pertinent to and necessary for the determinations required by this section of the regulations.

(iv) The foreign inspection system must maintain a program to assure that the requirements referred to in this section, equivalent to those of the Federal system of meat inspection in the United States, are being met. The program as implemented must provide for the following:

(A) Periodic supervisory visits by a representative of the foreign inspection system not less frequent than one such visit per month to each establishment certified in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section to assure that requirements referred to in (A) through (H) of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section are being met: Provided, That such visits are not required with respect to any establishment during a period when the establishment is not operating or is not engaged in producing products for exportation to the United States;

(B) Written reports prepared by the representative of the foreign inspection system who has conducted a supervisory visit, documenting his or her findings with respect to the requirements referred to in (A) through (H) of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, copies of which shall be made available to the representative of the Department at the time of that representative's review upon request by that representative to a responsible foreign meat inspection official: Provided, That such reports are not required with respect to any establishment during a period when the establishment is not operating or is not engaged in producing products for exportation to the United States; and

(C) Random sampling of internal organs and fat of carcasses at the point of slaughter and the testing of such organs and fat, for such residues having been identified by the exporting country's meat inspection authorities or by this Agency as potential contaminants, in accordance with sampling and analytical techniques approved by the Administrator: Provided, That such testing is required only on samples taken from carcasses from which meat or meat food products intended for importation into the United States are produced.

(3) Only those establishments that are determined and certified to the Department by a responsible official of the foreign meat inspection system as fully meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section are eligible to have their products imported into the United States. Eligibility of certified establishments is subject to review by the Department (including observations of the establishments by Program representatives at times prearranged with the officials of the foreign meat inspection system). Certifications of establishments must be renewed annually. Notwithstanding certification by a foreign official, the Administrator may, at his discretion, terminate the eligibility of any foreign establishment for importation of its products into the United States if he has information that such establishment does not comply with the requirements listed in paragraphs (a)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section or if he cannot obtain current information concerning such establishment. The Administrator will provide reasonable notice to the foreign government of the proposed termination of eligibility of any foreign establishment for importation of its products into the United States unless, in his judgment, delay in terminating its eligibility could result in the importation of adulterated or misbranded product. Certifications of official establishments by the responsible official of the foreign meat inspection system shall be in the following form:

Foreign Official Meat Establishment Certificate

I hereby certify that the establishment(s) listed below fully comply (complies) with requirements of (specify foreign country) equivalent to all the inspection, building construction standards, and other requirements for the slaughter and preparation of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and equines applied to official establishments in the United States under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and otherwise meet (meets) the requirements of §327.2(a) of the regulations governing meat inspection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

           Control numbers                 Name               Address  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Date ____________________
Signature Official Title

(4) Product of cattle, sheep, swine, and goats from foreign countries not listed in paragraph (b) of this section and product of equines from countries not listed in paragraph (c) of this section is not eligible for importation into the United States, except as provided by §327.16 or §327.17. The listing of any foreign country under this section may be withdrawn whenever it shall be determined by the Administrator that the system of meat inspection maintained by such foreign country does not assure compliance with requirements equivalent to all the inspection, building construction standards, and other requirements of the Act and the regulations in this subchapter as applied to official establishments in the United States; or that reliance cannot be placed upon certificates required under this part from authorities of such foreign country; or that, for lack of current information concerning the system of meat inspection being maintained by such foreign country, such foreign country should be required to reestablish its eligibility for listing.

(b) It has been determined that product of cattle, sheep, swine, and goats from the following countries covered by foreign meat inspection certificates of the country of origin as required by §327.4, except fresh, chilled, or frozen or other product ineligible for importation into the United States from countries in which the contagious and communicable disease of rinderpest or of foot-and-mouth disease or of African swine fever exists as provided in part 94 of this title, is eligible under the regulations in this subchapter for entry into the United States after inspection and marking as required by the applicable provisions of this part.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England and Wales, Finland, France, Germany (Federal Republic), Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Eire), Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Republic of China, (Taiwan), Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, Romania, San Marino,1 Scotland, Slovakia,2 Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia.

1 Equivalent for processing inspection system only.

2 May export to the United States only processed meat food products derived from animals slaughtered under Federal inspection in the United States, or in a country eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States.

(c) It has been determined that product of equines from the following countries, covered by foreign meat inspection certificates of the country of origin as required by §327.4, is eligible under the regulations in this subchapter for importation into the United States after inspection and marking as required by the applicable provisions of this part.

Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Paraguay.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970]

Editorial Note:  For Federal Register citations affecting §327.2, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

§ 327.3   No product to be imported without compliance with applicable regulations.
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(a) No product offered for importation from any foreign country shall be admitted into the United States if it is adulterated or misbranded or does not comply with all the requirements of this subchapter that would apply to it if it were a domestic product.

(b) No cooked or partially cooked meat or meat trimmings, either in separable pieces or molded into larger forms, shall be permitted entry except under the following conditions:

(1) A complete procedure for preparing and handling the product in the foreign country and en route to the United States shall be submitted by the exporter or his authorized agent to the Administrator and determined by the Administrator to be adequate to assure that the product will not be adulterated or misbranded at the time of offer for entry.

(2) A system acceptable to the Administrator (upon his determination that the system will provide a reliable indication of the kinds and numbers of microorganisms present) for the microbiological testing of the finished product shall be installed by the processor, the product is subjected to such testing, and the results thereof are furnished to the Administrator and are acceptable to him as showing that the product has been prepared and handled in a sanitary manner.

(c) [Reserved]

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 38 FR 29215, Oct. 23, 1973; 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989; 56 FR 38335, Aug. 13, 1991; 57 FR 27906, June 23, 1992]

§ 327.4   Imported products; foreign certificates required.
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(a) Except as provided in §327.16, each consignment containing any fresh meat or fresh meat byproducts consigned to the United States from a foreign country shall be accompanied by a foreign-meat-inspection certificate for fresh meat and meat byproducts in the following form:

ORIGINAL

Official Meat-Inspection Certificate for Fresh Meat and Meat Byproducts

Place ______ (City) ______ (Country) Date ___

I hereby certify that the meat and meat byproducts herein described were derived from livestock which received ante-mortem and post-mortem veterinary inspections at time of slaughter in plants certified for importation of their products into the United States and are not adulterated or misbranded as defined by the regulations governing meat inspection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and that said products have been handled in a sanitary manner in this country and are otherwise in compliance with requirements equivalent to those in the Federal Meat Inspection Act and said regulations.

                       Species ofKind of product  livestock derived   Number of pieces        Weight                        from          or containers------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification marks on products and containers ____________________
Consignor ____________________
Address ____________________
Establishment number ____________________
Consignee ____________________
Destination ____________________
Shipping marks ____________________
(Signature) ________________________________ ____________________

(Name of official authorized by the national foreign government to issue inspection certificates for meat and meat byproducts exported to the United States)

(Official title)____________________

(b) Except as provided in §327.16, each consignment containing any meat food product consigned to the United States from a foreign country shall be accompanied by a foreign-meat-inspection certificate for meat food products in the following form:

ORIGINAL

Official Meat-Inspection Certificate for Meat Food Products

Place ______ (City) ______ (Country) ______ Date ___

I hereby certify that the meat food products herein described were derived from livestock which received ante-mortem and post-mortem veterinary inspections at time of slaughter in plants certified for importation of their products into the United States, were handled in a sanitary manner, and were prepared under the continuous supervision of an inspector under control of the national meat inspection system and that said meat food products are not adulterated or misbranded as defined by the regulations governing meat inspection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and are otherwise in compliance with requirements equivalent to those in the Federal Meat Inspection Act and said regulations.

I further certify that all products herein described that are prepared customarily to be eaten without cooking and contain muscle tissue of pork were treated for destruction of trichnae as prescribed in §318.10 of the Meat Inspection Regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

                       Species ofKind of product  livestock derived   Number of pieces        Weight                        from          or containers------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification marks on products and containers ____________________
Consignor ____________________
Address ____________________
Establishment number ____________________
Consignee ____________________
Destination ____________________
Shipping marks ____________________
(Signature) ________________________________ ____________________

(Name of official authorized by the national foreign government to issue inspection certificates for meat food product exported to the United States)

(Official title)____________________

(c) Each foreign meat-inspection certificate shall bear the official seal of the national government agency responsible for the inspection of the product and be signed and issued by an official authorized to sign and issue such certificates by the national government of the foreign country in which the product is inspected.

(d) Each foreign meat-inspection certificate shall be in both the English language and the language of the foreign country of origin.

(e) Except for product subject to procedures in §327.5(d)(l), the foreign meat inspection certificate required by this section to accompany each consignment containing any product shall be delivered by the consignee, or his agent, in the United States to the Program import inspector at the place of inspection, and inspection of the product will not be commenced prior to such delivery.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 54 FR 274, Jan. 5, 1989; 60 FR 38668, July 28, 1995]

§ 327.5   Importer to make application for inspection of products for entry; information required; “streamlined” inspection procedures for Canadian product.
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(a) Except for importers of Canadian products, each importer shall apply for inspection of any product offered for entry by contacting the Import Field Office covering the location where import inspection will take place. The Import Field Office will provide specific application instructions (See §301.2 (yyy)).

(b) The application should be made as long as possible in advance of the anticipated arrival of each consignment, except in case of consignments of products expressly exempted from inspection by §§327.16 and 327.17, and in the case of product imported from Canada.

(c) Except in the case of product imported from Canada, each application shall state the approximate date on which the consignment is due to arrive at such port in the United States, the name of the ship or other carrier transporting it, the name of the country from which the product was, or is to be, shipped, the place where inspection is desired in accordance with §327.6, the quantity and kind of product, and whether it is fresh, cured, canned or otherwise prepared. In case of consignments arriving in the United States by water, the application shall also state the port of first arrival in the United States.

(d) For participating Canadian establishments, an official of the Canadian meat inspection system shall contact the participating Import Field Office for an inspection assignment (See §301.2 (yyy)).

(1) If the Automated Import Information System (AIIS) does not designate the consignment for reinspection, the consignment may be transported to its consignee for further distribution.

(2) If the AIIS designates the consignment for reinspection, the representative shall:

(i) Select samples in accordance with USDA sampling tables.3

3 A copy of the sampling tables is available, upon request, from the Import Inspection Division, International Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

(ii) Identify and place samples in the vehicle for easy removal and reinspection by an import inspector.

(3) In the event that any one of the requirements provided in (d)(2) of this section is not met, reinspection of the consignment shall be conducted by a Program import inspector in accordance with established procedures provided in the regulations for other imported products.

[54 FR 274, Jan. 5, 1989, as amended at 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.6   Products for importation; program inspection, time and place; application for approval of facilities as official import inspection establishment; refusal or withdrawal of approval; official numbers.
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(a)(1) Except as provided in §§327.5(d)(1), 327.16 and 327.17, all products offered for entry from any foreign country shall be reinspected by a Program inspector before they shall be allowed entry into the United States.

(2) Every lot of product shall routinely be given visual inspection by a Program import inspector for appearance and condition, and checked for certification and label compliance, except as provided in 327.5(d)(1).

(3) The computerized Automated Import Information System (AIIS) shall be consulted for reinspection instructions. The AIIS will assign reinspection levels and procedures based on established sampling plans or established sampling plans and established product and plant history.

(4) When the inspector deems it necessary, the inspector may sample and inspect lots not designated by AIIS.

(b) All products, required by this part to be inspected, shall be inspected only at an official establishment or at an official import inspection establishment approved by the Administrator as provided in this section. Such approved official import inspection establishments will be listed in the Directory of Meat and Poultry Inspection Program Establishments, Circuits and Officials, published by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The listing will categorize the kind or kinds of product2 which may be inspected at each official import inspection establishment, based on the adequacy of the facilities for making such inspections and handling such products in a sanitary manner.

1 [Reserved]

2 For example: Canned product, boneless meat, carcasses and cuts.

(c) Owners or operators of establishments, other than official establishments, who want to have import inspections made at their establishments, shall apply to the Administrator for approval of their establishments for such purpose. Application shall be made on a form furnished by the Program, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, and shall include all information called for by that form.

(d) Approval for Federal import inspection shall be in accordance with part 304 of this subchapter.

(e) Owners or operators of establishments at which import inspections of product are to be made shall furnish adequate sanitary facilities and equipment for examination of such product. The requirements of §§304.2(e), 307.1, 307.2 (b), (d), (f), (h), (k), and (l) and 416.1 through 416.6 of this chapter shall apply as conditions for approval of establishments as official import inspection establishments to the same extent and in the same manner as they apply with respect to official establishments.

(f) The Administrator is authorized to approve any establishment as an official import inspection establishment provided that an application has been filed and drawings have been submitted in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section and he determines that such establishment meets the requirements under paragraph (e) of this section. Any application for inspection under this section may be denied or refused in accordance with the rules of practice in part 500 of this chapter.

(g) Approval of an official import inspection establishment may be withdrawn in accordance with applicable rules of practice if it is determined that the sanitary conditions are such that the product is rendered adulterated, that such action is authorized by section 21(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (84 Stat. 91), or that the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section were not complied with. Approval may also be withdrawn in accordance with section 401 of the Act and applicable rules of practice.

(h) A special official number shall be assigned to each official import inspection establishment. Such number shall be used to identify all products inspected and passed for entry at the establishment.

(i) A sampling inspection shall be made, as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, of foreign chilled fresh or frozen fresh meat, including defrosting if necessary to determine its condition. Inspection standards for foreign chilled fresh or frozen fresh meat shall be the same as those used for domestic chilled fresh or frozen fresh meat. (See §327.21)

(j) Imported canned products are required to be sound, healthful, properly labeled, wholesome, and otherwise not adulterated at the time the products are offered for importation into the United States. Provided other requirements of this part are met, the determination of the acceptability of the product and the condition of the containers shall be based on the results of an examination of a statistical sample drawn from the consignment as provided in paragraph (a) of this section. If the inspector determines, on the basis of the sample examination, that the product does not meet the requirements of the Act and regulations thereunder, the consignment shall be refused entry. However, a consignment rejected for container defects but otherwise acceptable may be reoffered for inspection under the following conditions:

(1) If the defective containers are not indicative of an unsafe and unstable product as determined by the Administrator;

(2) If the number and kinds of container defects found in the original sample do not exceed the limits specified for this purpose in FSIS guidelines; and

(3) If the defective containers in the consignment have been sorted out and exported or destroyed under the supervision of an inspector.

(k) Program inspectors or Customs officers at border or seaboard ports shall report the sealing of cars, trucks, or other means of conveyance, and the sealing or identification of containers of foreign product on Form MP–410 to Program area supervisors at points where such product is to be inspected.

(l) Representative samples of canned product designated by the Administrator in instructions to inspectors shall be incubated under supervision of such inspectors in accordance with §318.309 (d)(1)(ii), (d)(1)(iii), (d)(1)(iv)(c), (d)(1)(v), (d)(1)(vii) and (d)(1)(viii) of this subchapter. The importers or his/her agent shall provide the necessary incubation facilities in accordance with §318.309(d)(1)(i) of this subchapter.

(m) Sampling plans and acceptance levels as prescribed in paragraphs (j) and (l) of this section may be obtained, upon request, from International Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 37 FR 21927, Oct. 17, 1972; 38 FR 29215, Oct. 23, 1973; 49 FR 36818, Sept. 20, 1984; 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986; 51 FR 45633, Dec. 19, 1986; 54 FR 274, Jan. 5, 1989; 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989; 62 FR 45026, Aug. 25, 1997; 64 FR 56416, Oct. 20, 1999; 64 FR 66545, Nov. 29, 1999; 65 FR 2284, Jan. 14, 2000]

§ 327.7   Products for importation; movement prior to inspection; handling; bond; assistance.
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(a) No product required by this part to be inspected shall be moved, prior to inspection from any port, or, if arriving by water from the wharf where first unloaded, to any place other than the place designated by, or in accordance with, this part as the place where the same shall be inspected.

(b) No product required by this part to be inspected shall be conveyed, prior to inspection, from any port, or, if arriving by water, from the wharf where first unloaded, in any manner other than in compliance with this part.

(c) No product required by this part to be inspected shall be delivered to the consignee or his agent prior to inspection, unless the consignee shall furnish a bond, in form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, conditioned that the product shall be returned, if demanded, to the collector of the port where the same is offered for clearance through the customs.

(d) The consignee or his agent shall provide such assistance as Program inspectors may require for the handling and marking of product offered for entry.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 37 FR 21928, Oct. 17, 1972; 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986; 56 FR 65180, Dec. 16, 1991]

§ 327.8   Import products; equipment and means of conveyance used in handling to be maintained in sanitary condition.
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Compartments of steamships, sailing vessels, railroad cars, and other means of conveyance transporting any product to the United States, and all trucks, chutes, platforms, racks, tables, tools, utensils, and all other devices used in moving and handling any product offered for importation into the United States, shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

§ 327.9   Burlap wrapping for foreign meat.
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Burlap shall not be used as a wrapping for foreign meat unless the meat is first wrapped with a good grade of paper or cloth of a kind which will prevent contamination with lint or other foreign material.

§ 327.10   Samples; inspection of consignments; refusal of entry; marking.
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(a) Program inspectors may take, without cost to the United States, for laboratory examination, samples of any product which is subject to analysis, from each consignment offered for importation, except that such samples shall not be taken of any product offered for importation under §327.16.

(b) Except for product offered for entry from Canada, the outside containers of all products offered for entry from any foreign country and accompanied with a foreign inspection certificate as required by this part, which, upon reinspection by import inspectors are found not to be adulterated or misbranded and are otherwise eligible for entry into the United States under this part, or the products themselves if not in containers, shall be marked with the official inspection legend prescribed in §327.26 of this part. Except for Canadian product, all other products so marked, in compliance with this part, shall be entered into the United States, insofar as such entry is regulated under the Act.

(c) Product which is inspected and rejected shall be marked “U.S. Refused Entry” as shown in §327.26(c). Such marks shall be applied to the shipping container or the product itself if not in a container.

(d) The inspection legend may be placed on containers of product before completion of official import inspection if the containers are being inspected by an import inspector who reports directly to an Import Field Office Supervisor; the product is not required to be held at the establishment pending the receipt of laboratory test results; and a written procedure for controlled stamping, submitted by the import establishment and approved by the Director, Import Inspection Division, is on file at the import inspection facility where the inspection is to be performed.

(1) The written procedure for controlled pre-stamping should be in the form of a letter and shall include the following:

(i) That stamping under this part will be limited to those lots of product which can be inspected on the day that certificates for the product are examined;

(ii) That all product which has been pre-stamped will be stored in the facility where the import inspection will occur;

(iii) That inspection marks applied under this part will be removed from any lot of product subsequently refused entry on the day the product is rejected; and

(iv) That the establishment will maintain a daily stamping log containing the following information for each lot of product: the date of inspection, the country of origin, the foreign establishment number, the product name, the number of units, the shipping container marks, and the MP–410 number covering the product to be inspected. The daily stamping log must be retained by the establishment in accordance with the requirements of §320.3.

(2) An establishment's controlled pre-stamping privilege may be cancelled orally or in writing by the inspector who is supervising its enforcement whenever the inspector finds that the establishment has failed to comply with the provisions of this part or any conditions imposed pursuant thereto. If the cancellation is oral, the decision and the reasons therefor shall be confirmed in writing, as promptly as circumstances allow. Any person whose controlled pre-stamping privilege has been cancelled may appeal the decision to the Administrator, in writing, within ten (10) days after receiving written notification of the cancellation. The appeal shall state all of the facts and reasons upon which the person relies to show that the controlled pre-stamping privilege was wrongfully cancelled. The Administrator shall grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for such decision, as promptly as circumstances allow. If there is a conflict as to any material fact, a hearing shall be held to resolve such conflict. Rules of practice concerning such a hearing will be adopted by the Administrator. The cancellation of the controlled pre-stamping privilege will be in effect until there is a final determination of the proceeding.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0583–0015)

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 53 FR 17014, May 13, 1988; 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.11   Receipts to importers for import product samples.
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In order that importers may be assured that samples of foreign products collected for laboratory examination are to be used exclusively for that purpose, official receipts shall be issued and delivered to importers, or their agents, by inspectors for all samples of foreign products collected. The official receipt shall be prepared in duplicate, over the signature of the inspector who collects the samples, and shall show the name of the importer, country of origin, quantity and kind of product collected, date of collection, and that the sample was collected for laboratory examination. The duplicate copy of the receipt shall be retained by the inspectors as their office record.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986]

§ 327.12   Foreign canned or packaged products bearing trade labels; sampling and inspection.
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(a) Samples of foreign canned or packaged products bearing on their immediate containers trade labels which have not been approved under §317.3 of this subchapter shall be collected and forwarded to the laboratory by the Program inspector for examination, and the products shall be held pending receipt of the report of the laboratory findings and the results of the examination of trade labels and the marks on shipping containers.

(b) Foreign canned or packaged products bearing trade labels and other markings which have been approved under §317.3 of this subchapter shall be inspected for soundness and checked for net weight. Samples may be collected for laboratory examination, but the products may be released under customs' bond pending the report of laboratory findings.

(c) Samples shall be taken from foreign canned products or packaged products as required by §327.6 (a) and (j) of this part.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 49 FR 36818, Sept. 20, 1984]

§ 327.13   Foreign products offered for importation; reporting of findings to customs; handling of articles refused entry.
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(a)(1) Program inspectors shall report their findings as to any product which has been inspected in accordance with this part, to the Director of Customs at the original port of entry where the same is offered for clearance through Customs inspection.

(2) When product has been identified as “U.S. refused entry, ” the inspector shall request the Director of Customs to refuse admission to such product and to direct that it be exported by the owner or consignee within the time specified in this section, unless the owner or consignee, within the specified time, causes it to be destroyed by disposing of it under the supervision of a Program employee so that the product can no longer be used as human food, or by converting it to animal food uses, if permitted by the Food and Drug Administration. The owner or consignee of the refused entry product shall not transfer legal title to such product, except to a foreign consignee for direct and immediate exportation, or to an end user, e.g., an animal food manufacturer or a renderer, for destruction for human food purposes. “Refused entry” product must be delivered to and used by the manufacturer or renderer within the 45-day time limit. Even if such title is illegally transferred, the subsequent purchaser will still be required to export the product or have it destroyed as specified in the notice under paragraph (a)(5) of this section.

(3) No lot of product which has been refused entry may be subdivided during disposition pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section, except that removal and destruction of any damaged or otherwise unsound product from a lot destined for reexportation is permitted under supervision of USDA prior to exportation. Additionally, such refused entry lot may not be shipped for export from any port other than that through which the product came into the United States, without the expressed consent of the Administrator based on full information concerning the product's disposition, including the name of the vessel and the date of export. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “lot” shall refer to that product indentified on MP Form 410 in the original request for inspection for importation pursuant to §327.5.

(4) Product which has been refused entry solely because of misbranding, in lieu of exportation or destruction pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section, may be brought into compliance with the requirements of this part, under supervision of an authorized representative of the Administrator.

(5) The owner or consignee shall have 45 days after notice is given by FSIS to the Director of Customs at the original port of entry to take the action required in paragraph (a)(2) of this section for “refused entry” product. Extension beyond the 45-day period may be granted by the Administrator when extreme circumstances warrant it; e.g., a dock workers' strike or an unforeseeable vessel delay.

(6) If the owner or consignee fails to take the required action within the time specified under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, the Department will take such action as may be necessary to effectuate its order to have the product destroyed for human food purposes. The Department shall seek court costs and fees, storage, and proper expense in the appropriate legal forum.

(7) No product which has been refused entry and exported to another country pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section may be returned to the United States under any circumstance. Any such product so returned to the United States shall be subject to administrative detention in accordance with section 402 of the Act and seizure and condemnation in accordance with section 403 of the Act.

(b) Upon the request of the Director of Customs at the port where a product is offered for clearance through the customs, the consignee of the product shall, at the consignee's own expense, immediately return to the Director any product which has been delivered to consignee under §327.7 and subsequently designated “U.S. Refused Entry” or found in any respect not to comply with the requirements in this part.

(c) All charges for storage, cartage, and labor with respect to any product which was imported contrary to the Act shall be paid by the owner or consignee, and in default of such payment shall constitute a lien against such product and any other product thereafter imported by or for such owner or consignee.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 48 FR 15889, Apr. 13, 1983; 49 FR 29568, July 23, 1984; 50 FR 19907, May 13, 1985; 53 FR 17015, May 13, 1988; 54 FR 50735, Dec. 11, 1989]

§ 327.14   Marking of products and labeling of immediate containers thereof for importation.
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(a) Product which is offered for importation, and which is susceptible of marking, shall, whether or not enclosed in an immediate container, bear the name of the country of origin, preceded by the words “product of”; the establishment number assigned by the foreign meat inspection system and certified to the Program; and such other markings as are necessary for compliance with part 316 of this subchapter. When such markings are imprints of stamps or brands made with branding ink, such ink shall be harmless and shall create permanent imprints. In case the name of the country of origin appears as part of an official mark of the national foreign government and such name is prominently and legibly displayed, the words “product of” may be omitted.

(b) In addition to the marking of products required under paragraph (a) of this section, the immediate container of any product offered for importation:

(1) Shall bear a label showing in accordance with §317.2 of this subchapter all information required by that section (except that the establishment number assigned by the foreign meat inspection system and certified to the Program and the official inspection mark of the foreign meat inspection system shall be shown instead of the official inspection legend of the United States) and in addition the name of the country of origin preceded by the words “product of,” immediately under the name or descriptive designation of the product as required by §317.2: Provided, That such establishment number may be omitted from a label lithographed directly on a can if said number is lithographed or embossed elsewhere on the can; and

(2) Shall, if such immediate container is a sealed metal container, have the establishment number assigned by the foreign meat inspection authority and certified by the Program embossed or lithographed on the sealed metal container, and such establishment number shall not be covered or obscured by any label or other means.

(c) All marks and other labeling for use on or with immediate containers, as well as private brands on carcasses or parts of carcasses, shall be approved by the Food Safety and Inspection Service in accordance with part 317 of this subchapter before products bearing such marks, labeling, or brands will be entered into the United States. The marks of inspection of foreign systems embossed on metal containers or branded on carcasses or parts thereof need not be submitted to the Food Safety and Inspection Service for approval, and such marks of inspection put on stencils, box dies, labels, and brands may be used on such immediate containers as tierces, barrels, drums, boxes, crates, and large-size fiberboard containers of foreign products without such marks of inspection being submitted for approval, provided the markings made by such articles are applicable to the product and are not false or misleading.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986; 60 FR 67456, Dec. 29, 1995]

§ 327.15   Outside containers of foreign products; marking and labeling; application of official inspection legend.
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(a) The outside container in which any immediate container of foreign product is shipped to the United States shall bear, in English, in a prominent and legible manner:

(1) The name or descriptive designation of the product in accordance with §317.2 of this subchapter;

(2) The name of the country of origin; and

(3) The establishment number assigned by the foreign meat inspection system and certified to the Program.

(b) All labeling used with an outside container of foreign product must be approved in accordance with part 317 of this subchapter.

(c) Except for product offered for entry from Canada, all outside containers of products which have been inspected and passed in accordance with this part shall be marked by a Program import inspector or under a Program import inspector's supervision with the official import meat inspection mark prescribed in §327.26.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986; 54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.16   Small importations for importer's own consumption; requirements.
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Any product in a quantity of 50 pounds or less which was purchased by the importer outside the United States for his/her own consumption, is eligible to be imported into the United States from any country without compliance with the provisions in other sections of this part but subject to applicable requirements under other laws, including the regulations in part 94 of this title. However, Program employees may inspect any product imported under this section to determine whether it is within the class eligible to be imported under this paragraph.

[54 FR 41048, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.17   Returned U.S. inspected and marked products.
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U.S. inspected and passed and so marked products exported to and returned from foreign countries will be admitted into the United States without compliance with this part upon notification to and approval of the Deputy Administrator, International Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, in specific cases.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986]

§ 327.18   Products offered for entry and entered to be handled and transported as domestic; exception.
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(a) All products, after entry into the United States, shall be deemed and treated as domestic products and shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Act and the regulations in this subchapter and the applicable requirements under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, except that products imported under §327.16 are required to comply only with the requirements of that Act and §327.16 of this subchapter.

(b) Products entered in accordance with this part may, subject to the provisions of part 318 of this subchapter, be taken into official establishments and be mixed with or added to any product in such establishments which has been inspected and passed therein.

(c) Imported product which has been inspected, passed, and marked under this part may be transported in the course of importation or subsequently in commerce only upon compliance with part 325 of this subchapter.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 41 FR 18089, Apr. 30, 1976; 54 FR 41049, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.19   Specimens for laboratory examination and similar purposes.
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The provisions in this part do not apply to specimens of products for laboratory examination, research, or similar purposes when authorized importation by the Administrator under conditions specified by him in specific cases, including requirements of denaturing or other identification to deter their use for human food. Authorization will not be given for the importation of any products contrary to the provisions of part 94 of this chapter.

§ 327.20   Importation of foreign inedible fats.
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No inedible grease, inedible tallow, or other inedible rendered fat shall be imported into the United States unless it has been first denatured as prescribed in §327.25 of this part and the containers marked as prescribed by §316.15 of this subchapter or unless it is identified and handled as prescribed by §325.11 (b) or (c) of this subchapter.

[54 FR 41049, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.21   Inspection procedures for chilled fresh and frozen boneless manufacturing meat.
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(a) Definitions; sampling; standards. (1) Frozen boneless manufacturing meat is meat, frozen in the fresh state from cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines that has all bone removed and is cut into pieces or trimmings, frozen into a compact block of any shape and suitable for slicing or chopping in the manufacturing of meat food products. As used in this section, the term “frozen” includes “chilled fresh,” and “lot” means any amount of frozen boneless manufacturing meat of one species, similarly packaged, shipped from one establishment, and offered for import inspection under one or more foreign inspection certificates.

(2) Imported frozen boneless manufacturing meat shall be sampled as required by §327.6(a) of this part, and the samples defrosted for inspection. The Program import inspector, or in the case of Canadian product subject to procedures described in §327.5(d)(1), the Canadian representative will select from a lot the appropriate number of cartons specified by the table of sampling plans. The total sample for inspection will consist of the necessary number of 12-pound units drawn from these cartons. The 12-pound units selected will be completely defrosted and examined.

(b) Lots refused entry. Reinspection (including resampling) will be provided for any lot of frozen boneless manufacturing meat which was refused entry under this section on the basis of the original evaluation of the sample thereof, upon appeal from the inspector's initial decision.

[35 FR 15610, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 49 FR 36819, Sept. 20, 1984; 51 FR 44901, Dec. 15, 1986; 54 FR 275, Jan. 5, 1989; 57 FR 27906, June 23, 1992]

§ 327.22   [Reserved]
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§ 327.23   Compliance procedure for cured pork products offered for entry.
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(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

(1) A Product is that cured pork article which is contained within one Group as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and which purports to meet the criteria for a single product designated under the heading “Product Name and Qualifying Statements” in the chart in §319.104 or §319.105 of this subchapter.

(2) A Product Group or a Group means one of the following:

(i) Group I, consisting of cured pork products which have been cooked while imperviously encased. Any product that fits into the Group shall be placed in this Group regardless of any other considerations.

(ii) Group II, consisting of cured pork products which have been water cooked. Any product that does not fit into Group I but does fit into Group II shall be placed into Group II regardless of any other considerations.

(iii) Group III, consisting of boneless, smokehouse heated cured pork products. Any boneless product that does not fit into Group I or II shall be placed in Group III.

(iv) Group IV, consisting of bone-in or semi-boneless smokehouse heated cured pork products. Any product that is not completely boneless or still contains all the bone which is traditional for bone-in product and does not fit into Group I, II, or III shall be placed in this Group.

(3) Protein Fat-Free Percentage, Protein Fat-Free Content, PFF Percentage, PFF Content or PFF of a product means the meat protein (indigenous to the raw, unprocessed pork cut) content expressed as a percent of the non-fat portion of the finished product.

(4) A PFF Standardized Difference is the PFF of the sample minus the minimum PFF requirement, set forth in §319.104 and §319.105 of this subchapter, for the product being analyzed, divided by the Appropriate Standard Deviation for the product group.

(5) The Absolute Minimum PFF Requirement is that no laboratory result of an individual sample for PFF content be below the applicable minimum requirement of §319.104 or §319.105 of this subchapter by 2.3 or more percentage points for a Group I or II product or 2.7 or more percentage points for a Group III or IV product.

(6) A PFF Standardized Arithmetic Average of the Country's Products is the arithmetic average of PFF Standardized Differences from either 36 or 100 consecutively sampled lots of product entering the United States from a given producing country.

(7) A PFF Standardized Weighted Average of the Country's Products is an estimate of the average of the PFF Standardized Differences from either 36 or 100 consecutively sampled lots, adjusted for the size of the lot, of different types of cured pork product entering the United States from a given producing country. A Standardized Weighted Average is computed by multiplying the PFF Standardized Difference calculated for each lot by the number of pounds of product in each lot, adding those results together, and dividing the sum by the total weight of product from all the lots making up the average.

(8) The Appropriate Standard Deviation is based on within lot variability. That assigned to Groups I and II = 0.75 percent PFF and that assigned to Groups III and IV = 0.91 percent PFF.

(9) A Lot is all product of one type from one establishment presented by an importer as the unit for inspection at the Port of Entry.

(b) Normal monitoring procedures. Except for product imported from Canada, the Department shall collect sample(s) of cured pork product on a random basis from lots offered for entry at the Port of Entry and, after analyzing the sample for fat and indigenous protein content, calculate the PFF percentage. The product shall not be held pending laboratory results during the monitoring phase. The PFF percentage for each sample shall be considered along with the cumulative results of prior samples to assess the effectiveness of a country's overall compliance program and to determine the course of action for subsequent lots of product.

(1) Factors determining whether a country's inspection system is functioning adequately:

(i) The PFF percentage for each sample must not be below the minimum PFF requirement by 2.3 percentage points for cured pork products in Groups I and II or 2.7 percentage points for cured pork products in Groups III and IV.

(ii) Both of the PFF Standardized Averages, Arithmetic and Weighted, for the last 100 consecutive lots of all cured pork products from the country must be equal to or greater than zero. The count for the 100 consecutive lots starts with the lots arriving from that country after April 15, 1985.

(iii) Both of the PFF Standardized Averages, Arithmetic and Weighted, for the last 36 consecutive lots of all cured pork products from the country must be above the lowest 5 percent of the Normal distribution. This minimum value is minus 0.28 (−0.28) for the Arithmetic Average and depends on the production volume for the Weighted Average.

(2) Actions when calculations indicate that processing procedures in a country are out-of-compliance:

(i) If the PFF level of a sample taken during normal monitoring procedures is found to be as low as the Absolute Minimum PFF Requirement, the country of origin shall be notified; the lot involved shall be retained if still available in an official establishment or subject to detention or other actions pursuant to the Act; and all subsequently presented lots of that cured pork product from the same foreign establishment shall be held under retention until the provisions of paragraph (c) are satisfied.

(ii) If either of the PFF Standardized Averages, Arithmetic or Weighted, for the last 100 consecutive lots falls below zero or either of the PFF Standardized Averages for the last 36 consecutive lots falls below the upper 95 percent of the Normal distribution, all available cured pork product from the foreign country shall be subject to administrative retention and all subsequently presented lots of cured pork product from the foreign country shall be held under retention until the provisions of paragraph (c) are satisfied. The country of origin shall be notified, and shall be subject to other actions pursuant to the Act.

(c) Retention. When lots of cured pork product are under retention they shall be refused entry and reexported in accordance with §327.13 of this subchapter unless they can be released in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(1), establishments may be returned to normal monitoring procedures in accordance with paragraph (c)(2), and countries may be returned to normal monitoring procedures in accordance with paragraph (c)(3).

(1) If a lot is subject to retention procedures under this section, the Department shall collect five randomly selected sample units from each lot and determine the PFF of each sample unit. The lot may be released into commerce if:

(i) The average PFF percentage of the five randomly selected sample units is equal to or greater than the applicable minimum PFF percentage required by §319.104 or §319.105 of this subchapter, or

(ii) The product is relabeled under the supervision of a program employee so that it conforms to the provisions of §319.104 or §319.105 of this subchapter.

(2) If product from a foreign establishment is subject to retention procedures under this section, the foreign establishment may be returned to normal monitoring procedures when:

(i) Ten consecutively presented lots of that cured pork product from that establishment have been sampled as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section and the average of each set of five sample units representing each lot have been found to be equal to or greater than the required minimum PFF percentage; and

(ii) The PFF percentage of each sample unit (50 in all) is above the Absolute Minimum PFF Percentage.

(3) If a country is subject to retention procedures under this section, the country shall be returned to normal monitoring procedures when:

(i) Twenty-five consecutively presented lots of cured pork product have been sampled as required in paragraph (c)(1) of this section and the average of each set of five sample units representing each lot have been found to be equal to or greater than the required minimum PFF percentage; and

(ii) The PFF percentage of each sample unit (125 in all) is above the Absolute Minimum PFF Percentage; and

(iii) Both of the PFF Standardized Averages for 36 consecutive lots are in the required percentage of the Normal distribution; and

(iv) Both of the PFF Standardized Averages for 100 consecutive lots are zero or higher.

(4) The sample units collected under retention procedures as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section will not be included in the PFF standardized averages for 36 and 100 consecutive lots.

(d) Adulterated and Misbranded Products. Products not meeting specified PFF requirements, determined according to procedures set forth in this section, may be deemed adulterated under section 1(m)(8) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 601(m)(8)) and misbranded under section 1(n) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 601(n)).

(e) Activities requiring additional inspectional supervision, such as relabeling, shall be at the importer's expense. In addition, if the importer wishes, he or she may have samples analyzed at an accredited laboratory.

[50 FR 9792, Mar. 12, 1985, as amended at 54 FR 41049, Oct. 5, 1989]

§ 327.24   Appeals; how made.
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Any appeal from a decision of any program employee shall be made to his/her immediate supervisor having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the appeal, except as otherwise provided in the applicable rules of practice.

[51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 67456, Dec. 29, 1995]

§ 327.25   Disposition procedures for product condemned or ordered destroyed under import inspection.
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(a) Carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products (other than rendered animal fats) that have been treated in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be considered denatured for the purposes of the regulations in this part, except as otherwise provided in part 314 of this subchapter for articles condemned at official establishments or at official import inspection establishments.

(1) The following agents are prescribed for denaturing carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products which are affected with any condition that would result in their condemnation and disposal under part 314 of this subchapter if they were at an official establishment or at an official import inspection establishment: Crude carbolic acid; cresylic disinfectant; a formula consisting of 1 part FD&C green No. 3 coloring, 40 parts water, 40 parts liquid detergent, and 40 parts oil of citronella, or other proprietary substance approved by the Administrator in specific cases.1

1 Information as to approval of any proprietary denaturing substance may be obtained from the Meat and Poultry Inspection Technical Services, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

(2) Meat may be denatured by dipping it in a solution of 0.0625 percent tannic acid, followed by immersion in a water bath, then dipping it in a solution of 0.0625 percent ferric acid; and except as provided in paragraphs (a) (3) and (5) of this section, the following agents are prescribed for denaturing other carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products, for which denaturing is required by this part: FD&C green No. 3 coloring; FD&C blue No. 1 coloring; FD&C blue No. 2 coloring; finely powdered charcoal; or other proprietary substance approved by the Administrator in specific cases.1 Carcasses (other than viscera), parts thereof, cuts of meat, and unground pieces of meat darkened by charcoal or other black dyes shall be deemed to be denatured pursuant to this section only if they contain at least that degree of darkness depicted by diagram 1 of the Meat Denaturing Guide (MP Form 91).2

2 Copies of MP Form 91 may be obtained, without charge, by writing to the Administrative Operations Branch, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 123 East Grant Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403. Diagrams 2 and 3 of the Meat Denaturing Guide are for comparison purposes only. The Meat Denaturing Guide has been approved for incorporation by reference by the Director, Office of the Federal Register, and is on file at the Federal Register Library.

(3) Tripe may be denatured by dipping it in a 6 percent solution of tannic acid for 1 minute followed by immersion in a water bath, then immersing it for 1 minute in a solution of 0.022 percent FD&C yellow No. 5 coloring.

(4) When meat, meat byproducts, or meat food products are in ground form, 4 percent by weight of coarsely ground hard done, which shall be in pieces no smaller than the opening size specified for No. 5 mesh in the standards issued by the U.S. Bureau of Standards or 6 percent by weight of coarsely ground hard bone, which shall be in pieces no smaller than the opening size specified for No. 8 mesh in said Standards, uniformly incorporated with the product, may be used in lieu of the agents prescribed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(5) Before the denaturing agents are applied to articles in pieces more than 4 inches in diameter, the pieces shall be freely slashed or sectioned. (If the articles are in pieces not more than 4 inches in diameter, slashing or sectioning will not be necessary.) The application of any of the denaturing agents listed in paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section to the outer surface of molds or blocks or boneless meat, meat by-products, or meat food products shall not be adequate. The denaturing agent must be mixed intimately with all the material to be denatured, and must be applied in such quantity and manner that it cannot easily and readily be removed by washing or soaking. A sufficient amount of the appropriate agent shall be used to give the material a distinctive color, odor, or taste so that such material cannot be confused with an article of human food.

(b) Inedible rendered animal fats shall be denatured by thoroughly mixing therein denaturing oil, No. 2 fuel oil, brucine dissolved in a mixture of alcohol and pine oil or oil of rosemary, finely powdered charcoal, or any proprietary denaturing agent approved for the purpose by the Administrator in specific cases. The charcoal shall be used in no less quantity than 100 parts per million and shall be of such character that it will remain suspended indefinitely in the liquid fat. Sufficient of the chosen identifying agents shall be used to give the rendered fat so distinctive a color, odor, or taste that it cannot be confused with an article of human food.

[51 FR 37707, Oct. 24, 1986]

§ 327.26   Official import inspection marks and devices.
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(a) When import inspections are performed in official import inspection establishments, the official inspection legend to be applied to imported meat and meat food products shall be in the appropriate form1 as herein specified.

1 The number “I–38” is given as an example only. The establishment number of the official import inspection establishment where the imported product is inspected shall be used in lieu thereof.

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For application to cattle, sheep, swine, and goat carcasses, primal parts, and cuts, not in containers.

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For application to outside containers of meat and meat food products prepared from cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.

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For application to horse carcasses, primal parts, and cuts, not in containers.

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For application to outside containers of horsemeat food products.

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For application to mule and other (nonhorse) equine carcasses, primal parts, and cuts, not in containers.

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For application to outside containers of equine meat food products.

(b) Except for product offered for entry from Canada, when import inspections are performed in official establishments the official inspection legend to be applied to meat and meat food products offered for entry shall be the appropriate form as specified in §§312.2 and 312.3 of this subchapter.

(c) When products are refused entry into the United States, the official mark to be applied to the products refused entry shall be in the following form:

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(d) Devices for applying “United States Refused Entry” marks shall be furnished to Program inspectors by the Department.

(e) The ordering and manufacture of brands containing official inspection legends shall be in accordance with the provisions contained in §317.3(c) of the Federal meat inspection regulations.

[51 FR 37708, Oct. 24, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 41049, Oct. 5, 1989]

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