Attach 6 photo copies of the label of each supplier of meat/meat alternate components that are made off the premises (e.g., cooked pizza topping) and that will be credited toward the meal pattern requirements. These products must have a prior approved CN label.

>>> Alternate Food Products Information

Vegetable protein products, cheese alternate products, and enriched macaroni with fortified protein, when made and used according to USDA regulations, may be used to meet part of the meat/meat alternate component.

Attach 1 photocopy or facsimile of the label of each approved alternate food product that will be credited toward the meal pattern requirements. Write the manufacturer's name, product name, and identification number on all 6 copies of the MP Form 8822-1. If a meat or poultry product contains VPP which is to be credited toward the meal pattern requirements, submit a letter or
fact sheet from the VPP manufacturer verifying the percent protein of the VPP.

Additional information on FNS-approved alternate food products is available from the Nutrition and Technical Services Division, FNS.

>>> Quality Control Program

The MPI Program, FSIS, approves acceptable plant quality control (QC) programs that can be effectively monitored by MPI inspectors. The QC program may be approved only after a label has received final approval.

Submit all QC programs to the FSIS inspector-in-charge for review. The inspector-in-charge will transmit the proposal to the Processed Products Inspection Division, Technical Services, FSIS, through the proper channels (circuit supervisor, area supervisor, regional office).

Additional information on inspection procedures is available from the Nutrition and Technical Services Division, FNS.

>>> Samples (Upon Request Only)

FNS may request a sample of the product as part of the review process. If a sample is requested, FNS may delay final label approval until it receives and reviews the sample. Label applications must pertain to products that have been made and tested in a pilot plant or on an assembly line.


PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING CN LABELS

>>> Where to Submit:

Submit all label applications to:

US Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Technical Services Division,
Room 602
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22302
Attn: Label Reviewer

Request information and answers to inquiries by calling (703) 305-2556

>>> How to Submit

Processors may submit label applications by any of the following methods

Mail delivery
Personal delivery by a manufacturer's representative
Personal delivery by a label expediting firm.

FNS will review labels onsite on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with scheduled appointments only. If a manufacturer wants to send a representative to discuss a label application, he or she should call in advance for an appointment and bring the label application at the appropriate time. The manufacturer must notify FNS if a label application is to be picked up by a representative other than the one who brought the application.

PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING CN LABELS

>>> Queuing System (mailed labels only)

When FNS receives a mailed label, FNS dates the label and places it in a queuing system. Each label is reviewed in turn based on the date received. FNS will not grant exceptions to the queuing system except in extreme emergencies. The review time in FNS will be approximately 1 week; however, this may vary depending on the volume of labels. In addition, label approval for products that are exceptionally complex may take longer. Once FNS approves and reviews a label, it forwards the label to FSIS for review.

>>> Identification Numbering System

FNS will use an automated data system to assign a six-digit identification number to all labels. This system will help FNS keep track of label approvals and provide this information to regional, state, and local Child Nutrition Program staff. FNS will also use these data to notify the appropriate manufacturers when a new regulation requires them to resubmit labels. When a label is submitted in sketch, FNS assigns an identification number to it. Before a label is submitted final without prior sketch approval, the manufacturer must call FNS for an identification number before printing the label. A new identification number will be assigned every time a final label application is received.

>>> Label Applications Returned

FNS will return label applications that are incorrect, illegible, or lacking appropriate information with notations of the errors. FNS will keep one copy of every label application it reviews. Labels that are resubmitted for review will be placed in the queuing system based on the date of resubmittal. If a manufacturer's representative is to pick up an application after the review, indicate this on the application.

>>> Label Applications Resubmitted

Resubmit labels through FNS when there is a:

newly assigned or revised establishment number
change in the plant name or address
change in the listing of ingredients
quality or nutritional claim
change in the product name

Approve label changes at the plant level when:

-all features are proportionally enlarged or reduced
-abbreviations are substituted for words, e.g. lbs. for pounds
-wrappers are changed for holidays
-directions for opening the container or package are changed
-coupons are added/deleted
-net weights are changed
-recipes are added/deleted
-punctuation changes are made
-package open date is added/deleted
-packaging materials are changed
-distributor information is added
-colors are changed
-illustrations are changed
-code numbers are changed. Whenever a product's code number is changed, send FNS a copy of the new label.