USDA Unveils New Guidelines for Government Salmon Purchases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced updated guidelines for the procurement of salmon products, incorporating new requirements from NOAA Fisheries’ Seafood Inspection Program along with other changes. These updated guidelines were published through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in the Final Supplement 507 document, which outlines the government’s standards for purchasing salmon products for federal nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program.

USDA Unveils New Guidelines for Government Salmon Purchases. The new supplement replaces the previous version issued in 2021 and introduces key updates, including the incorporation of NOAA Fisheries’ Seafood Inspection Program. This program provides inspection services on a fee-for-service basis to ensure seafood products comply with U.S. regulations. Contractors looking to sell salmon to the government can collaborate with the Seafood Inspection Program to obtain U.S. grading or certification of inspection for their products. This partnership aims to help ensure that salmon products meet the required regulatory standards.

Contractors can also develop a Product Management Plan (PMP) in cooperation with the Seafood Inspection Program to manage product compliance. Many products covered by a PMP can be certified without the need for a physical inspector, although companies are subject to routine audits to ensure compliance. USDA Unveils New Guidelines for Government Salmon Purchases also allows for continuous onsite inspection services, providing grading and certification on a lot-by-lot basis for USDA contracts, ensuring that salmon products meet the necessary standards.

Another key change in the updated document is the removal of the requirement for canned salmon products to receive a “certificate of loading” from the Seafood Inspection Program during shipment. Instead, contractors must conduct a checkloading examination of canned pink or red salmon at the time of loading and issue their own certificate.

USDA Unveils New Guidelines for Government Salmon Purchases also includes updates to labeling requirements. Sesame has now been added to the list of allergens that must be included in ingredient statements. Additionally, the USDA now mandates the inclusion of the USDA Food Shield on shipping labels. The update also removes the requirement for delivery seals to meet ISO standards and eliminates the need for a “processed under federal inspection” mark on labels.

Furthermore, the new guidelines specify that no more than 15 percent of salmon fillets can be tail-end portions. Contractors must clearly state the quality assurance measures they plan to implement in their technical proposals to ensure compliance with this rule. Finally, the USDA has lowered the sodium content specifications for salmon products. The updated standards now cap sodium content at 233 milligrams per 63 grams of salmon, down from the previous limit of 270 milligrams set in the 2021 guidelines. These changes reflect the USDA’s ongoing effort to ensure that government-purchased salmon meets the highest standards for both nutritional quality and regulatory compliance.