OVERVIEW

Federal Regulations require commercial processors of acidified foods and low-acid canned foods to be sold in the United States to register each establishment and file scheduled processes with the Food and Drug Administration for each product, product style, container size and type and processing method. See Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 108 (21 CFR 108). This booklet is designed to help processors comply with those requirements. The instructions for completing the registration and process filing forms for all processing methods except low-acid aseptic are contained in this booklet. Please read these instructions thoroughly and follow them carefully. Process filing instructions for low-acid aseptic processing and packaging systems are contained in a separate supplement which is available upon request to establishments using such systems.

This booklet also contains examples of properly completed forms as well as answers to some of the more frequently asked questions regarding registration and process filing.

Complete instructions for establishment registration and process filing are contained in this booklet as indicated below:

• Food Canning Establishment Registration (Form FDA 2541)

   

   

• Process Filing for All Processing Methods Except Low-Acid Aseptic (Form FDA 2541a)

   

At the end of each section is an example of a properly completed form referring to the appropriate portion of the text.