USDA Standards & Compliance
Navigate complex federal regulations for meat and poultry processing with confidence. Our expertise in USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requirements ensures your facility meets all standards for domestic distribution and export certification while maintaining halal integrity.
Core USDA Requirements
HACCP Systems
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points form the foundation of modern food safety, required for all USDA-inspected establishments.
- • Hazard analysis documentation
- • Critical Control Points identification
- • Monitoring procedures and records
- • Corrective action protocols
- • Verification activities
- • Reassessment requirements
Sanitation SSOPs
Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures ensure consistent cleanliness and prevent contamination throughout processing operations.
- • Pre-operational sanitation
- • Operational sanitation controls
- • Employee hygiene practices
- • Equipment cleaning schedules
- • Chemical control programs
- • Environmental monitoring
Daily Inspection
Continuous USDA inspection presence ensures compliance with federal regulations and maintains consumer confidence in products.
- • Ante-mortem inspection
- • Post-mortem examination
- • Processing verification
- • Records review
- • Product sampling
- • Label approval
Facility Design Requirements
Structural Standards
- •Surfaces & Materials
Smooth, impervious, easily cleanable surfaces throughout
- •Drainage Systems
Adequate slope and capacity to prevent standing water
- •Lighting Requirements
50 foot-candles at inspection stations, 20 elsewhere
- •Ventilation Systems
Positive pressure in clean areas, condensation control
Operational Requirements
- •Water Systems
Potable water with backflow prevention and testing
- •Waste Management
Approved rendering and wastewater treatment systems
- •Pest Control
Integrated pest management with approved chemicals
- •Personal Facilities
Welfare rooms, lockers, and hand-washing stations
FSMA & Preventive Controls
The Food Safety Modernization Act adds preventive control requirements that complement traditional HACCP approaches, focusing on comprehensive food safety planning.
Food Safety Plan Elements
- ✓Written hazard analysis
- ✓Preventive controls (process, allergen, sanitation)
- ✓Supply chain program
- ✓Recall plan with traceability
- ✓Monitoring and verification
- ✓Qualified individual oversight
Training Requirements
- •Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
- •HACCP training for key personnel
- •Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
- •Allergen control procedures
- •Environmental monitoring protocols
- •Annual refresher training
Export Certification Requirements
Accessing international markets requires meeting both USDA export requirements and importing country specifications, often including additional certifications and facility approvals.
Export Verification Programs
European Union
- • EU establishment number
- • Third country listing
- • Residue testing programs
- • Animal welfare standards
China
- • GACC facility registration
- • Product-specific approvals
- • Ractopamine-free verification
- • Cold chain documentation
Middle East
- • Halal certification requirements
- • GSO technical regulations
- • Health certificate attestation
- • Product shelf life restrictions
Japan
- • Ministry of Health approval
- • Age verification programs
- • Specified Risk Material removal
- • Japanese inspector access
Common Export Documentation
- • FSIS Form 9060-5 (Export Certificate)
- • Letterhead certificates for specific claims
- • Health certificates with consular stamps
- • Halal certificates from approved bodies
- • Product analysis certificates
- • Container loading verification
Technology & Record Keeping
Digital HACCP
Electronic monitoring and record keeping systems that satisfy USDA requirements while improving efficiency and data analysis.
Traceability Systems
Track and trace technology meeting FSMA requirements and enabling rapid response to food safety events or customer inquiries.
Compliance Software
Integrated platforms managing SOPs, training records, supplier approvals, and audit preparation in one centralized system.
Achieve Full USDA Compliance
From initial facility design through ongoing compliance management, our expertise ensures your operation meets all USDA requirements while maximizing efficiency and market access opportunities.