Supplement 602 Lamb Products - September 2025

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has published an updated Supplement 602 for Lamb Products dated September 2025, which serves as a special notice to industry participants. This supplement represents a comprehensive update to existing standards and requirements for lamb product handling, processing, and quality assurance. The notice was posted on September 12, 2025, with a deadline of December 31, 2025 for compliance or response. The updated supplement falls under NAICS code 311611 for Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering and PSC category 8810 for Live Animals Raised For Food. This notice does not utilize any set-aside provisions and applies broadly to relevant industry participants.

The primary objective of this supplement is to establish updated operational standards and quality requirements for lamb product processing and handling operations. Key updates include significant revisions to quality assurance protocols, with distinctions now made between QAD Auditors and Graders, enhanced lot dating information requirements, and updated allergen statement protocols with revised reference links. The supplement introduces new mandatory requirements for pallet stacking specifications, product temperature controls, and truck sealing procedures to ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain. Additional changes include updated QAD auditor qualification requirements and the removal of production plan provisions that were determined to be inapplicable to lamb products. Contractors and industry participants must implement these revised standards by the December 31, 2025 deadline to maintain compliance with Agricultural Marketing Service requirements for lamb product operations.