Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
Draft – Not for Implementation
8
homogenizing, irradiating, labeling, mixing, packaging (including modified atmosphere
packaging), pasteurizing, peeling, pelleting, rendering, treating to manipulate ripening, trimming,
washing, or waxing. For farms and farm mixed-type facilities, manufacturing/processing does
not include activities that are part of harvesting, packing, or holding (§ 507.3).
Drying is generally considered further manufacturing or processing; however, some passive
activities such as dewatering by holding a by-product in a container with a screened bottom
which allows water to escape, or holding in a perforated container which allows natural drying to
occur are not considered further processing. Heat-treatment or freezing is generally considered
further manufacturing or processing. Cooking or freezing a by-product to prevent deterioration
or adulteration is considered further processing. However, holding by-products at a particular
temperature to facilitate easier transportation of the by-products is not considered further
processing.
If the facility meets those two conditions, then once the by-product for use as animal food is
separated from the human food, the human food by-product for use as animal food is only
subject to the limited requirements found in § 507.28 for its holding and distribution. (§
507.12(b)). (Identical provisions are found in § 117.95 for the convenience of the facilities to
which the provisions apply.) The facility providing human food by-products for use as animal
food is not subject to the other requirements of part 507, including the animal food-specific
training requirements in § 507.4.
If the facility does not meet both of these conditions, it must manufacture, process, pack, or hold
its by-product for use as animal food in compliance with part 507. See section VI. Human food
facilities subject to the full requirements of part 507 for human food by-products for use as
animal food.
These provisions do not apply to a human food, or the by-product of a human food, that is
rejected for food safety reasons (i.e., because it has, or potentially has, been contaminated or
adulterated) (80 FR 56170 at 56222). See section VII. Human food and human food by-products
with a food safety concern (Diversion to animal food use).
Holding requirements (§ 507.28(a)) B.
When human food by-products for use as animal food are held for distribution, they must be held
under conditions that will protect them from contamination. (§ 507.28(a)). Contamination may
be caused by physical, chemical, or biological contaminants.
Containers and equipment used to convey or hold human food by-products for use as animal
food before distribution must be designed, constructed of appropriate material, cleaned as
necessary, and maintained in a way that protects against the contamination of human food by-
products for use as animal food. (§ 507.28(a)(1)). Containers and equipment that are commonly
used include bulk tanks, bins, totes, drums, tubs, augers, conveyors, or holding vehicles.
Methods and frequency of cleaning, repair, or replacement of containers or equipment will
depend on what type of product is being held or conveyed and how the containers or equipment
are being used. For some types of by-products it may not be necessary to clean the container