Export Procedures In-Shell Pasteurized Eggs to Dubai

Export Procedures In-Shell Pasteurized Eggs to Dubai
January 13, 2014

• LP-210S Exhibit
• Disease Free Statement – Dubai (In-shell Pasteurized Eggs) (January 13, 2014) (pdf)

Purpose

This instruction outlines the verification of validated pasteurization processing procedures and specific requirements for the issuance of animal health statements and the shipping certificate required for the export of in-shell pasteurized table eggs to Dubai Municipalities.

General Procedures

Product Requirements

1. Plant management is responsible for providing a Certificate of Compliance (typed on hatchery letterhead, signed and dated) upon request from a USDA representative to demonstrate that the layer flock (identify the company for the source flock) producing the eggs presented for in-shell pasteurization originated from NPIP-monitored breeder flocks. 
    
2. Monitoring the layer flock(s) for avian influenza is not required provided plant management presents science-based data that verifies the pasteurization process destroys the virus.  
    
3. Product must be in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations for the Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs during Production, Storage, and Transport. Shell eggs originating from a Salmonella positive flock, without additional testing, or shell eggs testing positive for Salmonella may be considered eligible for export provided these eggs are treated and achieve a 5 log reduction of Salmonella.
    

Verification of the Pasteurization Process

The USDA grader will verify the FDA-approved pasteurization process (pasteurization temperature and residence time) for each lot to be certified as pasteurized.  These processing parameters may be defined as a range (for example, minimum and maximum temperatures applicable for a defined minimum residence time) to accommodate the in-shell pasteurization of various sizes of eggs.  The quality assurance system used shall monitor, on a continuous basis, and maintain records of the processing temperature and the residence time of each lot of pasteurized table eggs.  Plant management is responsible for demonstrating continued conformance with the pasteurization treatment and describing the design function of the processing equipment and quality assurance system for the production and packaging of the pasteurized product.  

Prior to processing, the USDA grader will conduct a pre-operational inspection to determine that the processing and packaging equipment is clean and in sanitary condition.  Any compounds used during the processing and identification of the pasteurized product (cleaning, sanitizing, anti-microbial agents, shell coating, or marking inks) must be USDA accepted for the intended use.  Only shell eggs that meet or exceed U.S. Grade A requirements (on-line or stationary lot grading) and are certified as fit for human consumption are eligible for processing and certification as in-shell pasteurized table eggs for export to the Dubai Municipality.  The USDA grader will review the Shell Egg Grading Certificate, Form, LP-210S, accompanying each lot(s) of graded eggs for compliance prior to processing.  Additionally, plant management will provide a written procedure describing the measures implemented to maintain the identity of the shell eggs for processing from the time of receipt until processed, packaged, and labeled.

Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs during Production, Storage, and Transport

The FDA regulations state that in-shell pasteurized table eggs are exempt from refrigeration requirements subsequent to packaging.  However, when table eggs are refrigerated subsequent to packaging, the refrigeration must be maintained during the transport of the product for export.  Therefore, if the U.S. processor elects to refrigerate the in-shell pasteurized table eggs, the grader will monitor the refrigeration (refrigeration temperature defined by the processor) and assure prior to shipment that the transport unit is capable of providing such refrigeration.

Individual Egg Stamping

Each egg must be marked with the following information using an USDA accepted RED marking ink.

• Production Date – the prefix “Pro” followed by the day, month, and year (DD-MM-YYYY); the Country of Origin must appear at the end of this declaration.
  • For Example:  Pro 01-15-2014 USA
• Expiration Date – the prefix “Exp” followed by the day, month, and year (DD-MM-YYYY); the Country of Origin must appear at the end of this declaration.
  • For Example:  Exp 04-15-2014 USA

If a company marks individual eggs as part of the pasteurization assurance program required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this accepted identification is required in addition to the above specified label declaring the production and expiration dates.

Labeling

A. Identification of Packaging Material

Each retail market container must be reviewed and authorized for import by the Food Control Department of the Dubai Municipality.  Marketing claims must comply with import labeling requirements.  When a container distributed in U.S. commerce is used, the following required Arabic information must be attached to the container in a manner that does not cover the name of the product, name and address of the packer/distributor, size, grade, net weight, and number of eggs in the packaged unit.

• Product Name (Brand X)
  Country of Origin (Product of USA)
  Statement of Identity (Pasteurized Shell Eggs)
  Name, Address, and Zip Code of packer/distributor
  Quality Statement (Produced from U.S. Grade A or AA Eggs)
  Net Weight Statement (12 OZ. 341g) 
  Each primary container and shipping container must be identified with the official plant number and date of packaging.

The use of a container label in Arabic language must be submitted to USDA with the English translation and the authorization for use from the Dubai Municipality authority.

B. Identification of Packing Material

Each shipping container must be identified with the following information:

• Statement of Identity (Pasteurized Shell Eggs)
• Production Code (declared in Arabic as stated above)
• Expiration Code (declared as stated above)
• Name, Address, and Zip Code of the packer/distributor
• Quality Statement (U.S. Grade A or better)
• Keep Refrigerated (when applicable)
• Number and size (15/one-dozen cartons)
• USDA Graded for Export Stamp (pre-printed on the shipping case label or traditional hand stamp) with the applicable certificate number.
• Labels must be printed or stamped in a central location on the end of each case. Handwritten or stenciled stamps are not acceptable. 

An adhesive label may be used to include the information expressed in the Arabic language.  When applied to a printed label distributed in U.S. commerce, the adhesive label must not cover any required labeling information. 

When a label format for either packaging or packing material includes the “Produced From” of the “Verified Pasteurized” grademark, the label must be approved by the National Shell Egg Office and assigned an approval number.  If the printed label for domestic distribution includes such terminology as a marketing claim, the shell eggs presented for the production of the in-shell pasteurized table eggs must be certified as meeting the quality standards for the grade identified on the container label.

Duration of Quality (Expiration Dating) - The following statement will be printed in the remarks section of Form LP-210S if the expiration date exceeds 30 days from the date of pack:

       “The expiration date declared on the product is the responsibility of the applicant.”

Certification - When completing the certificate (Form LP-210S) the following information must be included:

• The statement “Fit for human consumption”.
• The statement “Certified for Export”.
• The statement “Product of USA”.
• Lot number must be Julian date.
• Company seal number