USDA Classifications
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates meat and poultry
establishments and issues lists of compounds approved for use in areas that are
federally inspected. Products authorized by the USDA for use in plants operating
under the federal meat and poultry program are classified according to where or
how they may be used. The following summarizes brief definitions of USDA
classifications.
A1: For use as general cleaning agents on all surfaces, or for use with steam or
mechanical cleaning devices in all departments.
A4: Floor and wall cleaners for all departments.
A6: Scouring cleaners.
A7: Metal cleaners and polishers for non-food contact surfaces.
A8: Degreasers or carbon removers for food cooking or smoking equipment,
utensils or other associated surfaces. No food contact.
B1: For laundering fabrics that come into contact with meat or poultry products,
directly or indirectly.
C1: For use on all surfaces in processing areas for inedible products,
non-processing areas, and/or exterior areas.
C2: Compounds for use in toilets and/or dressing areas.
D1: Antimicrobial agents always requiring a rinse.
D2: Sanitizers for all surfaces, not always requiring a rinse.
E2: Hand washing and sanitizing compounds.
E4: Hand creams, lotions, and cleaners. Use is limited to toilet and dressing
rooms.
F1: Non-residual pesticides. for use in all departments.
F2: Residual pesticides. For use in inedible product areas only.
G7: Compounds for treating boilers, steam lines, and/or cooling systems where
neither treated water nor the steam produced may contact edible products. This
does not include compounds added to water used to cook and cool containers of
meat and
poultry products.
H1: Lubricants with incidental food contact.
H2: Lubricant, release agent, or anti-rust film on equipment and machine parts
in locations in which there is no possibility ofh the lubricant or lubricated
part contacting edible products.
K1: Cleaning and/or degreasing solvents for use in nonprocessing areas.
K2: Solvents for cleaning electronic instruments.
L1: Compounds for use in sewage and/or drain lines.
L2: Enzymatic compounds for use in sewage and/or drain lines.
P1: Compounds chemically acceptable as a coating for application to structural
surfaces. |