The shift of products from food service to retail establishments as the COVID-19 situation is disrupting supply chains has prompted USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to issue some temporary guidelines that will allow the product shifts to take place.
FSIS emphasized that the labeling flexibilities “apply to product that has already been produced” and any products currently being produced are still “expected to meet all requirements” for labeling.
The action by FSIS addresses the potential lack of nutrition labeling for food intended for distribution to hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions (HRI) that may be repackaged and resold to retail consumers.
Under the flexibilities announced by FSIS, “product produced at a federal establishment typically intended for distribution to [HRI] will have modified labels applied by the federal establishment so that the products can now be sold at retail. The label would be required to bear all required features. FSIS will not object to the use of labels without nutrition labeling,” the agency said, even if the establishment does not meet an exemption under law, “provided the labels do not bear any nutrition claims.”
Products in protective coverings are eligible for the temporary flexibilities announced by FSIS for the next 60 days starting on March 23, 2020, the service said.
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