Exporting food products to the United States involves complying with different regulations depending on the type of product. If your product contains meat, poultry, or processed egg products, it is likely regulated by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) through FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service).
Unlike FDA-regulated products, USDA-regulated processes have specific requirements that must be understood from the very beginning. Not all products can be exported from any plant or country, and USDA labeling guidelines are designed to ensure food safety and clear, accurate information for U.S. consumers.
Understanding these elements during the project planning stage helps prevent delays and strengthens your brandâs value proposition in the international market.
Identifying the correct regulatory authority is critical. The USDA regulates products containing more than 3% meat, 2% poultry, or processed whole egg. For example, a stuffed pastry containing 5% ground beef must comply with USDA labeling requirements.
If there is uncertainty about jurisdiction, the product formulation should be reviewed under regulatory criteria from the outset.
USDA-approved labels must include specific elements in English, following defined rules for format, placement, and font size. Key elements include:
The nutrition panel may differ slightly from FDA formatting. For example, terms like âTotal Sugarsâ may appear differently, and specific USDA formatting rules must be followed.
A key difference from FDA-regulated products is that many USDA-regulated labels must be reviewed and approved before commercial use. This process is completed through the LSAS (Label Submission and Approval System) and is evaluated directly by FSIS officials.
Because of this, label changes cannot be made as easily as under FDA regulations. Having a clear labeling strategy from the design stage helps avoid rework and delays.
If your label includes claims such as ânatural,â âhormone-free,â âorganic,â or âno preservatives,â these must be validated under USDA-specific criteria. Unlike FDA-regulated productsâwhere many claims are self-substantiated with supporting documentationâUSDA claims often require prior review and approval.
This process ensures that claims are accurate, consistent, and trustworthy for consumers.
The product name must accurately reflect what the product contains. Using terms such as âpepperoni,â âsalami,â or âprosciuttoâ requires compliance with precise technical definitions and cannot be used interchangeably.
Adhering to standards of identity promotes transparency and builds consumer trust in the marketplace.
There must be full alignment between the approved label, the actual product formulation, and the exporting production facility. If any of these elements change, a new FSIS review or approval may be required.
Understanding USDA labeling requirements from the product development stage allows you to build a stronger export strategyâwithout last-minute adjustments or compliance risks.
At CORE Consulting, we help you validate USDA labels, verify product eligibility, and streamline the registration and approval process so your product enters the U.S. market on solid regulatory ground.
Exporting food products to the United States involves complying with different regulations depending on the type of product. If your product contains meat, poultry, or processed egg products, it is likely regulated by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) through FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service).
Unlike FDA-regulated products, USDA-regulated processes have specific requirements that must be understood from the very beginning. Not all products can be exported from any plant or country, and USDA labeling guidelines are designed to ensure food safety and clear, accurate information for U.S. consumers.
Understanding these elements during the project planning stage helps prevent delays and strengthens your brandâs value proposition in the international market.
Identifying the correct regulatory authority is critical. The USDA regulates products containing more than 3% meat, 2% poultry, or processed whole egg. For example, a stuffed pastry containing 5% ground beef must comply with USDA labeling requirements.
If there is uncertainty about jurisdiction, the product formulation should be reviewed under regulatory criteria from the outset.
USDA-approved labels must include specific elements in English, following defined rules for format, placement, and font size. Key elements include:
The nutrition panel may differ slightly from FDA formatting. For example, terms like âTotal Sugarsâ may appear differently, and specific USDA formatting rules must be followed.
A key difference from FDA-regulated products is that many USDA-regulated labels must be reviewed and approved before commercial use. This process is completed through the LSAS (Label Submission and Approval System) and is evaluated directly by FSIS officials.
Because of this, label changes cannot be made as easily as under FDA regulations. Having a clear labeling strategy from the design stage helps avoid rework and delays.
If your label includes claims such as ânatural,â âhormone-free,â âorganic,â or âno preservatives,â these must be validated under USDA-specific criteria. Unlike FDA-regulated productsâwhere many claims are self-substantiated with supporting documentationâUSDA claims often require prior review and approval.
This process ensures that claims are accurate, consistent, and trustworthy for consumers.
The product name must accurately reflect what the product contains. Using terms such as âpepperoni,â âsalami,â or âprosciuttoâ requires compliance with precise technical definitions and cannot be used interchangeably.
Adhering to standards of identity promotes transparency and builds consumer trust in the marketplace.
There must be full alignment between the approved label, the actual product formulation, and the exporting production facility. If any of these elements change, a new FSIS review or approval may be required.
Understanding USDA labeling requirements from the product development stage allows you to build a stronger export strategyâwithout last-minute adjustments or compliance risks.
At CORE Consulting, we help you validate USDA labels, verify product eligibility, and streamline the registration and approval process so your product enters the U.S. market on solid regulatory ground.
