Ariz. Admin. Code § 3-2-1124

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 43, October 25, 2024

Section R3-2-1124 - Use of the "Produced From" Labeling

A. Use of the wording "Produced From" in conjunction with the AZDA grademark, is limited to products derived from AZDA Grade AA or Grade A eggs for which there are no U.S. grade standards (e.g., pasteurized eggs or hard-cooked eggs). The following guidelines are to be used when monitoring the official grade identification of these types of products.

1. Approval. Applicants interested in utilizing the "Produced From" labeling must submit a written proposal to the Administrator. The proposal is to include the type(s) of product to be labeled and the applicant's plan for controlling the use and labeling of officially identified product. After review by the supervisor, the supervisor is to forward the request to the Administrator for final review and approval. Upon approval, the supervisor is to reconfirm all of the requirements with the applicant prior to any actual grade identification.

2. Verification visits. To assure that only officially graded eggs are being used, the processing, packing, and packaging must be closely monitored. Each verification visit shall include a review of records, product inventory, processing procedures, packing, packaging, storage, and shipping practices to confirm that the applicant is following the protocol outlined in their approved plan. In plants with resident service, the supervisor or Administrator is to be present during the initial production period to monitor the process and verify compliance. The grader will conduct all subsequent monitoring and verification activities with oversight from the supervisor. In temporary or fee locations, plant management must notify the supervisor each time the "produced from" labeling will be used or, alternatively, provide the supervisor with a projected production schedule. At these locations, compliance will be based on the applicant's established history of compliance as outlined in the following schedule:

a. Level 1 - The supervisor or administrator is to monitor and verify the process on the initial day of production. The supervisor or a grader will conduct subsequent visits. At least one additional verification visit is to be conducted during the next 10 production days. If no discrepancies are noted, one visit is to be conducted for each 30 days of production until three consecutive satisfactory visits have been completed. Once this verification period has ended without any noted program non-conformance, monitoring may proceed to Level 2.

b. Level 2 - supervisor or a grader is to conduct quarterly verification visits provided the applicant continues to meet all program requirements. If any nonconformance is noted during these visits, monitoring reverts back to Level 1. Misuse of the labeling will result in cancellation of the approval.

B. Recordkeeping. Recipients shall maintain, and make available for review, all invoices or applicable Grading Certificates covering product received, produced, and shipped. At a minimum, these records must include the name and address of original packer, amount received, quantity produced, brand names, lot numbers, quantity shipped and name and address of receivers. Records must be maintained for two years.

C. Cost. There will be no additional charge to resident plants when graders monitor product labeling during their normal grading activities. When graded product is shipped from official plants to other processing locations for re-packaging that are not under continuous AZDA supervision, time and expenses associated in conducting the verification visits will be charged to the recipient at the current Temporary grading and auditing service rate.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R3-2-1124

Adopted by final exempt rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 916, effective 4/9/2020.