Annex I-2 - Unmarked, Un-stamped, Tamper Evident Sealed Meat Shipments

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1. Scope

This Annex describes the import procedures and restricted end use requirements of imported meat products described as unmarked or un-stamped.

2. Introduction

Meat products which are labelled with all mandatory labelling requirements including the meat inspection legend (MIL) stamped directly on the meat product or applied to a tag or label and tamper evident sealed are considered to be fully marked meat products. Meat products which are not fully marked may be imported into Canada as un-stamped or unmarked products. However, their use is restricted.

3. Legislation

Applicable legislation is from the Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR) sections:

4. Un-stamped Meat Products

4.1 Definition

Un-stamped meat products mean that meat products do not bear the meat inspection legend directly (stamped or applied by means of a sealed bag or a breast tag) but are packaged in fully labelled shipping containers. This implies that the shipping containers are bearing all the mandatory information, including the meat inspection legend.

4.2 Examples of Un-stamped Meat Products

1. Bulk packed single ingredient meats (pork chops, boneless beef, chicken portions) for institutional use.
2. Prepared bulk packaged cooked diced meats for pizza toppings in a restaurant.

NOTE: Products meeting the above definitions, sealed in tamper evident containers, are considered Fully Marked Products.

4.3 Labelling Requirements for Un-Stamped Meat Products.

The shipping container of un-stamped meat products must be labelled with all mandatory labelling information. Refer to Annex E of this Chapter or Chapter 7 of the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures (MOP).

Generally, un-stamped meat products are bulk packed in containers weighing 5 kg or more and are not for direct retail sale. Containers less than 5 kg are usually sold at the retail level.

All prepared un-stamped meat products require a CFIA approved label on the container. If intended for retail sale, prepared and single ingredient imported meat products must have CFIA label approval.

4.4 Restrictions of Un-Stamped Meat Products

Un-stamped meat products are permitted to be imported into Canada from all countries provided:

1. The product is shipped in a transport container sealed with:
   
   • an official foreign meat inspection seal (for all countries other than the USA);
   • an official seal or a numbered company seal (for the USA)
   The seal number must be recorded on the OMIC.
2. The product description on the OMIC is preceded by the word "Un-stamped". Example: "Un-stamped chicken wings".
3. The shipping container labelling meets Canadian requirements and the container is identified with the Export Stamp or Shipping Marks.
4. Un-stamped meat products must be maintained under seal, identified on the OMIC, when shipped to a registered establishment. In the case of a broken seal, a missing seal or a seal is not identified on the OMIC, the shipment will not be allowed entry to a registered establishment.
5. US skip lots bearing company seals may be released at the border for shipment to non registered facilities. US skip lots bearing official meat inspection seals must be have the seal removed under the authorization of an Inspector in accordance with section 130 (1) of the MIR.

5. Unmarked Meat Products

5.1 Definition

Unmarked meat products mean that meat products do not bear the meat inspection legend directly and that they are packaged in non-labelled or partially labelled shipping containers. This implies the shipping containers are bearing part of, or none of the mandatory information, including the meat inspection legend.

Unmarked meat products are only allowed to be imported from the USA.

5.2 Examples of Unmarked Meat Products

1. Combos of manufacturing beef shipped for further processing to another registered establishment.
2. Cartons of whole bacon shipped for slicing and packaging at another federal registered establishment.

5.3 Labelling of Unmarked Meat Products

Unmarked meat products differ from unstamped meat products in that one or more of the labelling requirements of the shipping container are not met.

If the outside containers are not labelled, or one or more of the required mandatory labelling information is missing from the label, the meat product should be considered as unmarked rather than un-stamped.

Unmarked prepared meat products must have CFIA approval of the label and recipe as per section 110 of the MIR. Section 115 provides an exemption to the use of a label when meat products are shipped under an official seal to another establishment.

The list of ingredients must accompany the shipment to the importer.

The shipping containers of imported unmarked products must be identified with the export stamp.

5.4 Restrictions on Unmarked Meat Products

The import of unmarked meat products is restricted to the United States and subject to the following conditions:

1. The meat product is in a transport container sealed by an official meat inspection seal of the USDA. The seal number is recorded on the Official Meat Inspection Certificate (OMIC). Company seals are not acceptable for shipments of unmarked meat products.
2. The product description on the OMIC is preceded by the word "Unmarked". Example "Unmarked boneless pork shoulder picnic". The export stamp must be on shipping container.
3. The importer must provide the name of the registered meat processing establishment at time of entry into Canada.
4. For "Skip Lot" inspection assignments unmarked meat products must be shipped directly from the Port of Entry to a registered establishment for further processing, packaging or labelling.
5. For "Full Inspection" the unmarked meat products must be sent to a registered establishment for further processing as soon as possible following import reinspection. The meat products cannot be stored at CFIA registered cold storage or non registered establishments.

6. Tamper Evident Sealed Meat Products

Containers labelled with all mandatory information which are tamper evident sealed by means of a tape, strap, or sticker; and bearing evidence of inspection such as the meat inspection legend or company name on the tamper evident seal, are considered fully marked meat products. The means of tamper evident sealing must be such that a container cannot be opened without breaking the seal or destroying the tape or sticker.

6.1 Methods to Tamper Evident Seal Containers of Meat Products

Methods to provide tamper evidence to meat products are described in Chapter 8, MOP.

6.2 Importing Fully Marked Meat Products

Fully marked meat products from the USA can be imported without a seal on the truck or transport container unless required by the conditions of an Animal Health import permit. Fully marked meat products from all foreign countries other than the USA shall be imported with the official country seal on the truck or transport container.

7. Use of the CFIA/ACIA 1452 (Declaration Covering Meat Products for Further Processing and/or Packaging)

Following satisfactory inspection at registered inspection establishment, all unmarked meat shipments must be shipped to a registered processing establishment under the control of the Inspector in charge. The CFIA/ACIA 1452 and official CFIA seals are required. Refer to Chapter 8, MOP for more information.

Shipments of un-stamped meat products are required to be shipped under an official seal and with a duly completed CFIA/ACIA 1452 only when the products are being shipped to another registered establishment.

8. Bio-Security

To increase security, many food processors tamper evident seal their products. To prevent tampering of meat products any shipping containers opened for inspection should be resealed using CFIA labelled tape.

9. Meat Product Diagram

A flow chart to describe the categories of unmarked, un-stamped and marked are shown in the diagram below.

Unmarked, Un-stamped, Tamper Evident Sealed Meat Shipments: Diagram

Click on image for larger view

Unmarked, Unstamped, Tamper Evident Sealed Meat Shipments diagram