Animal Protein Free Verification Program for Poultry

The USDA Animal Protein Free Verification (APFV) Program was developed for the U.S. Poultry Industry to facilitate the international trade of eligible U.S. poultry and poultry products to customers who request products be derived from poultry that has not been fed animal proteins. The USDA-APFV Program is a voluntary, user-fee service available to poultry producers and processors to provide verification that poultry have never been fed animal protein, animal fats, or animal by-products. Suppliers who wish to meet the APF requirements under the APFV Program must meet these requirements through an approved USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program. The QSA Program provides companies that supply agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. It is limited to programs or portions of programs where specified product requirements are supported by a documented quality management system.

Once suppliers are approved under the APFV Program to supply APF products identified as meeting the requirements, they are added to the Business Listing of APFV Suppliers. In addition, eligible APF products must be produced under an approved Program and be identified as meeting the requirements of the applicable USDA APFV Program. Products approved under the APFV Program that also meet Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) requirements may be issued a FSIS Export certificate which includes the applicable statements as listed in the FSIS Library of Export Requirements. The APFV program requirements are outlined in the QAD 1061 USDA QSA Animal Protein Free Verification Program.

NOTICE

Saudi Arabia is currently not accepting imports of U.S. poultry except for shipments destined for the US Consulate and/or U.S. military usage. Further information can be obtained on the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website. 

Additional Resources