TIP: For specific questions about label applications approved or approved with modifications by FSIS, establishments should use askFSIS to communicate directly with the staff officer that evaluated the label.  

Once a label application has been approved or approved as modified, the most effective way to submit questions about the label application is to use the FSIS online question and answer portal, askFSIS. The “Subject” field in the askFSIS inquiry should reference the eight-digit application number assigned to the application in the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS) and the name of the staff officer that evaluated the label, which can both be found in the “Summary” section of LSAS. Including this information will ensure that the question is routed appropriately. Alternatively, the establishment may access askFSIS by telephone at 800-233-3935, selecting option 2 to speak to the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff.

The Agency strongly encourages establishments to communicate with the FSIS staff officer through askFSIS or by telephone rather than submit a formal appeal in LSAS. The appeal function in LSAS should only be used when the establishment and FSIS staff officer who evaluated the label application cannot come to an agreement on the disposition of a label that was adjudicated in LSAS.

Page 136 in the LSAS Industry User Guide provides information on how to view and download an adjudicated label application in LSAS in order to access the application number, name of the staff officer who reviewed a label, and specific comments regarding an adjudicated label.

FSIS will continue to provide updates regarding label turnaround time, as well as suggestions to assist industry to streamline label submissions in its Constituent Update.

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• European Union 

Complete information can be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/import-export/import-export-library.