21 CFR 117.95 - Holding and Distribution of Human Food By-Products for Use as Animal Food

What it says

Human food by-products held for distribution as animal food must be held under conditions that will protect against contamination, including the use of effective measures to protect against contamination of the by-products from the packaging or container, to protect against the by-products becoming contaminated from other sources, and to identify the by-products as animal food. Equipment and containers used to hold or convey the by-products must be cleaned or kept clean as needed.

Paraphrased for plain-language clarity. Always verify against the current published regulation text.

What it means in practice

• By-products such as trimmings or spent grain can be a source of animal food, so the plant must still control contamination after the material leaves the human food line.
• Containers used for by-products should be identified so they do not get mixed up with human food ingredients.
• Separate controls may be needed where by-products carry allergens or other hazards.

What FDA inspectors look for

• Whether by-products are held in clean, identified containers.
• Whether they are protected from contamination during holding and conveying.
• Whether the by-product stream is kept separate from human food.

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