NOTE: THIS SUPPLEMENT CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING PROCESSES FOR ASEPTIC PACKAGING SYSTEMS. ALL USERS SHOULD BECOME THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AND PROCESS FILING AND WITH THE GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MAIN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE LACF REGISTRATION COORDINATOR AT (301) 436-2411 OR BY ELECTRONIC MAIL AT LACF@CFSAN.FDA.GOV
OR BY MAIL TO:
LACF REGISTRATION COORDINATOR
(HFS-618)
CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND APPLIED NUTRITION
(FDA)
5100 PAINT BRANCH PARKWAY
COLLEGE PARK, MD
20740-3835
SEE THE MAIN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET FOR COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING REGISTRATION AND PROCESS FILING; GLOSSARY OF TERMS; METRIC TO ENGLISH CONVERSION CHART; AND CELSIUS TO FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART.
PROCESS FILING FOR ASEPTIC PACKAGING SYSTEMS (FORM FDA 2541C)
Use Form FDA 2541c for filing processes for aseptic packaging systems only for LACF products under 21 CFR 108.35. Use Form FDA 2541a for all other processing methods, including acidified products filed under 21 CFR 108.25. For acidified LACF products packaged by aseptic packaging systems, the factor which provides the public health protection (heat or acidification) determines which form is to be used (i.e., for a product acidified to a maximum equilibrium pH #4.6, use Form FDA 2541a.
Complete each required block on the form in English according to the following instructions. Unless otherwise indicated, all blocks on the form must be completed, regardless of whether this is a new submission or a replacement for a previously submitted one. The paragraph numbers below correspond to the numbered blocks on the sample form on page 15. See pages 7-8 in Section I of the main instruction booklet for a complete explanation of the submission identified (SID).
Enter the 5-digit Food Canning Establishment (FCE) number assigned to your establishment by the FDA when you registered (on Form FDA 2541). If registering concurrently with initial process filing, leave blank (FDA will complete). Upon receipt of your FCE number from FDA, record it on your copies of the process filing forms.
Enter the name of your plant and the plant location address corresponding to the FCE Number entered in 1. This is used by FDA as a check of the FCE number and may not be used to change the name or address. Name and address changes must be submitted on an Establishment Registration form (FDA 2541).
An address change resulting from a move to a different location (as opposed to a street name change, etc.) requires re-registration, assignment of a new FCE number, and re-filing of all scheduled processes. The old FCE number is not valid and its use will not be accepted by FDA.
U.S. Firms:
Enter the two-letter abbreviation for your state or territory; leave "country" block blank.
Foreign Firms:
For "state", enter the name or abbreviation of the province or other subdivision of your country (if applicable). Otherwise, leave blank.
For "ZIP Code", enter the postal code established by the postal system of your country, if one has been established. Otherwise, leave blank.
Enter the name of the country in which your establishment is located.
Assign a unique SID to each process filing form, in the format YY-MM-DD/SSS based on when you are submitting the form, where:
YY the last two digits of the year (e.g., 99, 01, 02, etc.)
MM is the numerical designation of the month (e.g., 05 for May, 10 for October etc.)
DD is the day of the month (e.g., 03, 28, etc.)
SSS is a unique sequence number within the date (e.g., 001, 002, etc.)
SEE PAGES 7-8 IN SECTION I OF THE MAIN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET FOR COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF SUBMISSION IDENTIFIER (SID).
If this is a new submission of a process for a low-acid canned food product (no previous processes filed for this product in the container sizes listed), check "new" and complete the remaining blocks.
If this is a replacement for a previously submitted process filing form, check "replaces", followed by the SID of the MOST RECENT SUBMISSION WHICH IS BEING REPLACED and complete the remaining blocks.
If this is a cancellation of a previously submitted process filing form which is not being replaced by another, check "cancels", followed by the SID of the previous submission which is being canceled. To help ensure that the correct process is being canceled, enter the food product name as instructed in 7 on the next page. Sign and date the form as instructed in 22 and submit it to FDA.
As an alternative, you may photocopy the form to be canceled. Assign a new SID in 3 (lining out the original one without making it unreadable), and check "cancels" in 4 followed by the SID being canceled. Sign and date the photocopy below the original signature and date and submit it to FDA. Computer printed forms may be submitted as long as these reproductions closely emulate FDA’s 2541c.
Check "scheduled" if this is the ordinarily used process for this product under normal conditions.
If this is a process used regularly in lieu of the ordinarily used (scheduled) process (which is filed separately), check "alternate for" and enter the SID of the scheduled process for which this is an alternate.
NOTE: Alternate processes should be reported ONLY WHEN THEY ARE USED REGULARLY. Otherwise, they need not be filed.
If you are replacing a scheduled process for which you have filed alternate processes, FDA will assume that the alternate processes apply to the replacement scheduled process as filed. If the alternate processes do not apply to the replacement, they should be replaced or canceled by separate submissions.
Additional Container Sizes
Additional container sizes for a previously submitted food product must be reported separately as a NEW or REPLACEMENT SUBMISSION, even if all other information is the same.
Deletion of Containers Size(s)
Submit a "REPLACEMENT" for the originally filed form as instructed above, leaving off the container sizes that are no longer applicable. You may reproduce the original form, if desired, entering the additionally required information for a replacement form as indicated above, lining out the inapplicable container size(s), and signing and dating the form (below the original signature). Assign a unique new SID to the REPLACEMENT form clearly indicate the previous submission being replaced by entering its SID in 4.
Forms Returned by FDA for Missing Data
When resubmitting a form which had been returned by FDA for missing data, enter the missing data directly on the returned form (unless otherwise instructed) and send it to FDA. DO NOT CHANGE TYPE OF SUBMISSION OR THE SID. Be sure to enter the missing data on your file copy of the form.
If it is necessary to complete a new form to furnish the missing data, complete blocks 1 through 6 exactly as originally submitted. Complete all other blocks, entering ALL information specified below. Attach the form which had been returned and mail them both to FDA.
Enter the SID of the supplemental information which applies to this process filing form (see "REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION" on page 11). For example: SUP SID: 01-04-22/015
Enter the food product name, form or style, and packing medium, in that order, e.g., whole milk; butterscotch pudding; split pea soup (condensed); etc. A separate form must be used for each product form or style (strained, ready-to-eat, high fat, paste, dry ingredient, etc.) which receives a different scheduled process OR when the characteristics of the food affect heat transfer or affect microbial heat resistance.
Product forms or styles receiving the same scheduled process should be included parenthetically after the product name.
A separate form is not required for each different brand name of a product so long as the scheduled process for all brands is exactly the same.
Foreign Firms
List the English name as well as the non-English name as it appears on the label. For example:
Whole milk (lait)
In the upper portion of the block, enter the name of the manufacturer, the type of sterilizer, and the model number or name (if applicable). Limit to 30 characters when possible. Abbreviations may be used when meanings are clear. For example:
Cherry Burrell: Swept Surf Ht Ex
Name of Packaging Sterilizer
In the lower portion of the block, enter the name and type of packaging system used and the model number or name (if applicable). For example:
Dole: Superheated Steam
Source
Enter the name of the process authority (organization, company, or individual, etc.) which conducted the scientific studies establishing the scheduled processes(es) listed on the form, and the type of document in which published (i.e., letter, bulletin, etc.). List the source for the product sterilizing process in the upper portion of the block and the source for the packaging sterilizer process in the lower portion. Use the following guidelines in making entries for process source.
Source | Year and Month |
ABC/EFG | 2001-01 |
Ready Pack/Tech T | 1995-06 |
Date
Enter the year (e.g., 1995, 2002, etc.) and the numeric designation of the month (e.g., 05 for May, 11 for November, etc.) of the latest source document issued by the qualified process authority which established or modified the process used. List date applicable to product sterilizer in the upper portion of the block and the date applicable to the packaging sterilizer in the lower portion.
Except for tinplate/steel and aluminum cans (which may be submitted on the same form if the processes are identical), USE A SEPARATE FILING FORM FOR EACH DIFFERENT CONTAINER TYPE EVEN IF ALL OTHER INFORMATION IS THE SAME.
Check the container type used. If a container type other than those listed is used, check "4. other" and describe on the following line or in “22. comments”. specifying the material from which constructed). For example:
Pouch (polyethylene/alum. foil laminate)
Semi-rigid Container (e.g., cups, tubs, cartons, etc., - describe and specify material from which constructed)
NOTE: Minor container material variations which do not affect the scheduled process do not require submission of separate forms.
Enter value to the nearest hundredth (e.g., .88) ONLY IF REDUCED WATER ACTIVITY IS CRITICAL TO THE DELIVERY OF THE SCHEDULED PROCESS as specified by the process source cited in 9. Otherwise, enter N/A. IF THIS BLOCK IS COMPLETED, WATER ACTIVITY MUST BE CONTROLLED DURING PROCESSING AND RECORDS OF THE MEASUREMENTS MUST BE KEPT.
Normal
Enter normal or natural pH of the product before processing, to the nearest tenth (e.g., 5.1).
Maximum
For products packaged by aseptic packaging systems were pH control is specified by the process source as a critical factor, enter the maximum equilibrium pH (upper limit) of the finished product after acidification, measured within 24 hours after processing to the nearest tenth (e.g., 4.7).
Enter consistency or viscosity data as follows, ONLY IF CRITICAL TO THE DELIVERY OF THE SCHEDULED PROCESS as specified by the process source cited in 9.
Value at 77+/-2 degrees F
If consistency or viscosity is not applicable, enter N/A. If consistency is specified by the process source to be measured at
77± 2°F, enter the maximum consistency reading at that temperature, measured to the nearest thousandth (e.g., 3,000). If consistency is given by the process source as a range, report the highest value.
Value at other temp
If consistency is specified by the process source to be measured at another temperature, enter the maximum consistency reading at that temperature, measured to the nearest thousandth (e.g., 50,000). If consistency is given by the process source as a range, report the highest value.
Other temp
Enter the temperature (other than 77°) at which reading is taken, to the nearest whole degree (e.g., 160)(±2°F is assumed). If temperature is specified by the process source as a range, you may report that range.
Units
Enter units in which reading is measured. Abbreviate to 3 characters. For example:
CPS - centipoise
C/S - centimeters/second
INS - inches
Method Name
Enter instrument used and its characteristics. Limit to 30 characters, if possible. If Brabender is used, include the paddle (e.g., Brabender A Paddle).
IF THIS BLOCK IS COMPLETED, CONSISTENCY MUST BE CONTROLLED DURING PROCESSING AND RECORDS OF THE MEASUREMENTS MUST BE KEPT.
Product Viscosity Characteristic
In the block preceding 14 (Specific Gravity), enter the viscosity characteristic of the product as follows:
Enter N for Newtonian.
Enter P for pseudoplastic.
Enter D for dilatant.
The product viscosity characteristic can be determined in the following ways:
Measure viscosity at constant temperature and three rates of shear.
- If viscosity decreases with increased rates of shear, the fluid is pseudoplastic (flow-thinning);
- If viscosity increases with increased rates of shear, the fluid is dilatant (flow-thickening).
Enter the specific gravity of the food product measured at 77±2°F. Express to the nearest thousandth (e.g., 1.101).
Express in inches, to the nearest hundredth (e.g., 1.37)
Express to the nearest whole inch (e.g., 480).
Enter other critical factors as SPECIFIED BY THE PROCESS SOURCE WHICH MUST BE CONTROLLED IN ORDER TO ASSURE DELIVERY OF THE SCHEDULED PROCESS. Check all blocks which apply AND, where applicable, enter the appropriate value. For example:
TO ENTER VALUES: check 73 (OTHER) enter the number of the applicable factor, and the value. For example:62=1.55.
For critical factors not listed, check "other", and enter the factor and critical value (if applicable). For example:
Enter the dimensions of each container size which is used for the product IN ENGLISH UNITS. Use a separate line for each different container size and its process parameters or characteristics. DO NOT LEAVE BLANK LINES BETWEEN CONTAINER SIZES. List container dimensions in inches and sixteenths of an inch as described below, using 4 digits (for example, 0301 for a 3 1/16 inch dimension). See Appendix A in the main instruction booklet for metric to English conversion table.
Cylindrical Containers
Enter the diameter in the first column and height in the second. Leave the third column blank.
Rectangular Containers
Enter length (longest dimension) in the first column, width (second longest dimension) in the second, and height in the third.
Pouches
Enter the length (longest dimension, excluding heat seal) in the first column, width (second longest dimension, excluding heat seal) in the second column, and maximum thickness in the third. See illustration below:
Unconventional or Irregular Shaped Containers
When the specified dimensions cannot be used, cross out "hgt" in third column and enter the English units (fluid oz., gal., etc.). Enter the container volumetric capacity.
For each container size identified in 18, enter the scheduled process informaiton specified by the process source cited in 9 as follows:
Minimum Initial Temperature
If not applicable, enter N/A. Enter temperature of the coldest product to be processed at the time the sterilizing begins. Express (in degrees F) to the nearest whole degree (e.g., 180). This factor is often critical for products heated by steam infusion or steam injection or for product containing discrete particles.
Process Time
Enter minimum process time IN SECONDS to the nearest hundredth (e.g., 27.00).
Processing Temperature
Enter minimum processing temperature (measured at the holding tube outlet) in whole degrees (°F)(e.g., 275). NEVER ROUND UP (e.g., 275.9 is reported as 275).
Least Sterilizing Value
Express F° to the nearest tenth of a minute (e.g., 7.0). If other than F° is applicable, enter value for F and specify (below the last value) the death rate (z) and reference temperature (T) in whole degrees F. For example, z=16; T=240.
If other equivalent scientific basis for process adequacy is applicable (for example, Integrated Sterilizing Value (IS)), specify to the right of the value.
Flow Correction Value
This value represents the correction for laminar e.g., 2.0 or turbulent (e.g., 1.2) flow of the fastest particle. The value can be based on scientific studies (if done, attach the report)
Express in gallons per minute where measured, to the nearest hundredth of a gallon (e.g., 18.40). If given in units other than gallons (e.g., lbs., per minute), line out "gal/min" and specify units above the heading for this column.
Enter the maximum thruput allowable, as specified by the process source, expressed in whole containers per minute (e.g., 500).
Where necessary, enter specific information here or refer to an attachment. For steam injection or infusion heating requiring flow correction when flow rate is measured prior to heating, enter both correction factors. If flow rate is measured after steam injection or steam infusion heating, enter a comment.
Enter the name, title, and signature of the authorized representative who is signing this form on behalf of the company and the telephone number (including area code) at which she or he can be reached. Date the form and mail the original (white) copy to:
LACF Registration Coordinator (HFF-618)
Food and Drug Administraton
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835
Keep the second (pink) copy for your files. You are required to maintain a file copy for future reference at the processing plant location.
REMINDER: A glossary of terms; Metric to English conversion chart; Celsius to Fahrenheit temperature conversion chart; and common questions and answers concerning registration and process filing are contained in the main instruction booklet to which this supplement applies.
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
FOR
ASEPTIC PACKAGING SYSTEMS
Supply the following supplemental information on a separate sheet (or sheets) in two copies. Number each item to correspond to the numbers and letters below. Assign a unique SID according to the instructions in 3 on page 2, entering it at the top left of each sheet following the FCE number. For example:
FCE #04999
SUP SID: 01-02-20/011
If this supplemental data replaces a previous submission, identify the replaced submission in parentheses immediately following. For example:
FCE#04999
SUP SID: 01-02-20/011 (replaces 97-04-22/015)
Immediately below, enter the SID of all current processes to which the supplemental information applies. For example:
Applies to: 94-02-12/003, 004, 005; 97-09-15/001, 002, 003; 01-01-03/002; 01-02-02/001, 002, 003; 02-02-30/007
Each unique set of supplemental information must be submitted only once. Each subsequent process filing form submitted to which the supplemental information applies must include the above mentioned supplemental data Sid (SUP SID) following the "Type of Submission" data (see 6 on page 5).
PRODUCT STERILIZER
(a) Filling Chamber | (b) Filing Equipment | (c) Sterilizing Chamber for Containers | (d) Sterilizing Chamber for Lids | (e) Container Closing Area | (f) Container Closing Equipment | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5. | Sterilizing Medium used | ||||||
6. | Minimum Temperature of Sterilizing Medium (°F) | ||||||
7. | Minimum flow rate (gal/min) | ||||||
OR | |||||||
8. | Minimum pressure of sterilizing medium (psi) | ||||||
9. | Minimum time for circulating (exposure to) the sterilizing medium (min) |
(a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Achieve and Maintain | Filing Area | Closing Area | |||
Containers | Lids | Maintain | Maintain | ||
10. | Sterilizing Medium used | ||||
11. | Minimum temperature of sterilizing medium | ||||
12. | Minimum concentration of sterilizing medium (if chemical) | N/A | N/A | ||
13. | Minimum exposure time | N/A | N/A | ||
OR | |||||
14. | Maximum Conveyor Speed | N/A | N/A | ||
15. | FOR
STERILIZING
GASES ONLY
Minimum Gas flow rate through chamber |
N/A | N/A | ||
OR | 16. | Minimum gas pressure required in chamber | N/A | N/A |
The information requested in 5. through 16. May be submitted either in a list or a tabular form as in the following examples:
List Form
Tabular Form
(a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | |
5. | Steam | Steam | etc. | ... | ... | ... |
6. | 260 | etc. | ... | ... | ... | ... |
... ... | ||||||
16. | ... | ... |
Enter the name, title, telephone number (including area code) and signature of the authorized representative who is submitting this information on behalf of the company (and the date signed) at the bottom of the last supplemental page. Mail two copies to:
KEEP ONE COPY FOR YOUR FILES. You are required to maintain a file copy for future reference at the processing plant location.
NOTE: These instructions are not all-inclusive, particularly for new systems. FDA expects a copy of the process validation report and information on the new systems not previously filed with FDA. Therefore, any additional information, critical factors, and/or controls which are specified by the process source (although not specifically addressed above) must also be provided.
Hypertext updated by ear 2002-FEB-05