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China

Chinese Authorities Insisting On Bilingual
Labels From November 1

As we reported in September, the Chinese authorities are now requiring that labels on boxes must be in Chinese as well as English. This requirement comes into effect on November 1. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is negotiating with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) for a delay in enforcement of the new regulation, since it seems impossible for U.S. companies to comply in time, but as there is no guarantee that FAS will succeed in the negotiation, it is imperative that exporting companies comply.

The AQSIQ is planning a five-month test period, and is currently saying that after that period the information must be printed directly on the box. Since other importing countries do not have this requirement, FAS will ask AQSIQ to continue to allow stick-on labels.

USMEF suggests that labels be printed in English and Chinese in the following form:

Product Name: (e.g., pork feet or pork picnic, boneless or beef short plate or beef small intestine)

Country of Origin: Product of USA

Production Date: Year/Month/Day

Weight: Pounds/Kilograms

Storage Temperature: Keep Refrigerated or Keep Frozen

Plant Registration No.: (USDA FSIS Establishment Number)

Destination: People’s Republic of China

USMEF’s International Meat Manual, which is available online at USMEF’s Web site (/TradeLibrary/InternationalMeatManual.asp), includes the most commonly produced beef and pork cuts in the Chinese language. Inner packaging materials will not require Chinese labeling.

USMEF, USAPEEC and USDA are currently working on a standard design format for the new label with Chinese translations. Exporters will be encouraged to use this label template. Recommendations and suggestions should be sent to Paul Clayton (pclayton@usmef.org or (303) 623-6328) or Ann Spaeth (aspaeth@usmef.org) in USMEF’s Denver headquarters.

Mexico

Changes In Export Requirements For Shipments To Mexico

The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has notified USMEF of changes in the requirements for red meat shipments to Mexico.

The Mexican authorities now require the following additional requirements on the shipping container labels (may be in English):

· Name and physical location of the establishment exported from (location of plant)

· Destination of product (must match the consignee information on FSIS Form 9060-5)

· Slaughter establishment number

· Slaughter date (must match dates on FSIS Form 9060-5)

Labels on processed products now require in addition:

· Slaughter establishment number

· Slaughter date

· Processing date

· Pack date (may be the same as processing date — both must be included)

· Expiration date

· Lot number

· Destination of product

The remarks section of FSIS Form 9060-5 (or on FSIS Letterhead Certificate) now also requires:

· Destination of product

· Establishment number on product

· Slaughter establishment number

· Slaughter date

In addition the remarks section must include the following new requirements for processed products:

· Processing dates

· Product Expiration date

For the complete requirements, consult the online FSIS Library of Export Requirements (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm). Members with questions can contact Paul Clayton (pclayton@usmef.org) or Ann Spaeth (aspaeth@usmef.org) in USMEF’s Denver headquarters (303) 623-6328).

Click for USMEF Annual Board of Directors Meeting Information and Registration Form; November 6-8, 2002 - Long Beach, California