Food Canning Establishment Registration for Acidified Foods and Thermally Processed Low-Acid Food in Hermetically Sealed Containers - Form FDA 2541

Instructions for Paper Submission of
Form FDA 2541 (Food Canning
Establishment Registration) for an
Acidified/Low-Acid Food Canning
Establishment

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Month Year

Page 1 of 13

Table of Contents
I.
II.

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
How to Submit Registration Form FDA 2541 by Paper ......................................... 4
A. General Information ............................................................................................ 4
B. Section 1: Type of Submission ............................................................................ 4
Initial Registration .................................................................................................. 4
Relocation (new registration required) ................................................................... 4
Change Registration Information ............................................................................ 5
C. Section 2: Food Processing Plant Location ......................................................... 6
D. Section 3: Preferred Mailing Address ................................................................. 6
E. Section 4: Low Acid and/or Acidified Foods Processed at this Location ........... 7
F. Section 5: Establishment Contact Person............................................................. 8
G. Notes .................................................................................................................... 9

III.

How to Change or Cancel Registration Information .............................................. 9
A. Change Registration Information ........................................................................ 9
B. Cancel Registration............................................................................................ 10

IV. How to Contact FDA or Obtain Help ......................................................................... 10
V.
VI.

References ................................................................................................................. 11
Appendix ............................................................................................................... 11
A. Examples of Completed FDA 2541 Registration Form .................................... 11

Table of Figures
Figure 1 – Example of FDA 2541 for a New Registration ............................................... 11
Figure 2 - Example of FDA 2541 Relocation of Establishment ....................................... 12
Figure 3 –Example of FDA 2541 Cancellation of Establishment .................................... 13
Page 2 of 13

I.

Introduction

This document is intended for:
•

Commercial processors who manufacture, process, or pack acidified foods (AF)
and/or thermally processed low-acid foods packaged in hermetically sealed
containers (historically referred to as “low-acid canned foods” or “LACF”) 1; and

•

Persons who are authorized to act on behalf of such commercial processors 2.

Commercial processors who manufacture, process, or pack AF and/or LACF are subject
to the registration requirements of 21 CFR 108.25(c)(1) (for AF) or 21 CFR 108.35(c)(1)
(for LACF), as well as the process filing requirements of 21 CFR 108.25(c)(2) (for
processors of AF) or 21 CFR 108.35(c)(2) (for processors of LACF). These provisions
require two basic types of submissions:
•
•

Food Canning Establishment Registration using Form FDA 2541; and
Process filings using the following forms:
• Form FDA 2541d (Food Process Filing for Low-Acid Retorted Method)
• Form FDA 2541e (Food Process Filing for Acidified Method)
• Form FDA 2541f (Food Process Filing for Water Activity/Formulation Control
Method)
• Form FDA 2541g (Food Process Filing for Low-Acid Aseptic Systems)

This document provides detailed instructions on how to:

•
•
•
•

Register a new Food Canning Establishment (FCE) by paper submission using Form
FDA 2541;
Change registration information for the FCE;
Change the list of products manufactured, processed or packed at the FCE; and
Cancel registration for an FCE (e.g., if production ceases or there is a change in
ownership).

1

Although some hermetically sealed containers (e.g., pouches and glass bottles) used to package thermally
processed low-acid foods generally would not be viewed as “cans,” the term “low-acid canned foods” has
been used for decades as a shorthand description for “thermally processed low-acid foods packaged in
hermetically sealed containers,” and we continue to use that term (and its abbreviation, LACF) for the
purposes of this document.

2

Individuals who act as authorized representatives may do so for more than one commercial processor.
Reference 1 identifies the responsibilities of each type of authorized user.

Page 3 of 13

This document does not provide instructions for submitting Form FDA 2541 in electronic
format or for submitting process filing forms in either electronic or paper format. You
can obtain information about submitting Form FDA 2541 in electronic format, and about
submitting process filing forms in either electronic or paper format, from our guidance
entitled “Guidance for Industry: Submitting Form FDA 2541 (Food Canning
Establishment Registration) and Forms FDA 2541d, FDA 2541e, FDA 2541f, and FDA
2541g (Food Process Filing Forms) to FDA in Electronic or Paper Format” (Ref. 1 and
the appendices to Reference 1).

II. How to Submit Registration Form FDA 2541 by
Paper
A.

General Information

The paper Form FDA 2541 contains 5 sections (Sections 1 through 5).
•

All fields marked with an asterisk in these instructions under section II.C, D, and
F are mandatory and must be completed.

At the top right hand portion of the form is a box “For FDA Use Only” that identifies the
“FCE number” and “Date Received by FDA.” FDA will complete this section and send
you a copy of the form with this information added.
To register with FDA, processors must complete FDA Form FDA 2541 for each
processing establishment location and submit to the mailing address for FDA listed under
Section IV of these instructions.
We recommend that the individual completing the form make and keep a copy of the
registration form.

B.

Section 1: Type of Submission

There are three choices available under this section of the form: Initial Registration,
Relocation, and Change of Registration Information. See the Appendix of this document
for examples of a completed form for each of these choices.
Initial Registration
If the processing plant location has never been registered, select this choice and continue
to Section 2.
Relocation (new registration required)
If you have a previously registered FCE number and you are moving to a new location,
select this choice, enter the current FCE number in the space provided, and continue to
Section 2.
Page 4 of 13

Relocating a facility will lead us to cancel the existing registration. You must therefore
send us a separate Form FDA 2541 to register the new location. We will provide you
with a new FCE number for the new location. We will work with you on a case-by-case
basis to determine the impact of the relocation of the facility on the SIDs you previously
filed.
Change Registration Information
If you are submitting changes for a previously registered firm, select this choice, enter the
current FCE number in the space provided, and continue to Section 3. Select “Change
Registration Information” if one of the following types of scenarios apply:
• Change in firm name;
• Change in mailing address
• Change in ownership; 3
• Change in postal address because of renaming of street, renumbering of building, etc.
(no actual change in location);
• Cancellation of FCE
Specific instructions on how to change registration information are provided below, in
Section III.A of these instructions. Specific instructions on how to cancel an FCE are also
provided below, in Section III.B.
You must notify us not later than 90 days after ceasing or discontinuing the manufacture,
processing, or packing of the foods in any establishment, except that you need not do so
for temporary cessations due to the seasonal character of production or due to temporary
conditions (e.g., labor disputes or fire) (21 CFR 108.25(c)(1) and 21 CFR 108.35(c)(1)).
To notify us, you may either follow the instructions in Section III.B to cancel your
registration using Form FDA 2541, or you may notify us using the contact information
provided in Section IV.
You are not required to resubmit Form FDA 2541 to tell us about new products that you
are going to begin manufacturing, processing, or packing at an establishment that you
have already registered. The procedure you are required to follow for you to inform us
about such new products is to submit process filing forms (see Section I of this document
and Reference 1 for more information about process filing). You are also not required to
resubmit Form FDA 2541 to tell us when you no longer manufacture, process, or pack
products you previously listed on the form. You may, however, voluntarily choose to use

3

A change in ownership will lead us to cancel the existing registration and all process filing forms
submitted under the applicable FCE number. The new owner must submit a new Form FDA 2541 (Food
Canning Establishment Registration), in response to which we will send the new owner a new FCE
number. At that point the new owner must submit new process filing forms for all LACF and AF products
that will be manufactured, processed, or packed under the new ownership. The new process filing forms
will need to include the new FCE number we will assign in response to the new owner’s registration. If the
new owner has any questions about the process for submitting new process filing forms, the new owner
may contact FDA using the contact information provided in Section IV of these instructions.

Page 5 of 13

Form FDA 2541 to tell us when you no longer manufacture, process, or pack such
products.
Do not use Form FDA 2541 to provide us with updated information about your
Establishment Contact Person (ECP). If you wish to designate a new ECP and/or provide
us with updated contact information for your ECP, you may do so by contacting us using
the contact information provided in Section IV of these instructions.

C.

Section 2: Food Processing Plant Location

Section 2 of the form has data entry fields for the location of the food processing plant.
See a list of required and optional fields immediately below. Fields marked with an
asterisk (*) below under this section of the instructions are required.
*Establishment Name - The name of the food processing plant at the location
being registered.
*Number and Street - The physical address of the food processing plant at the
location being registered. This is normally a street address, but may be some
other physical/geographical designation used in rural locations.
*City and State or Province (or other Subdivision) - The city and State or
Province where the food processing plant is located.
*Zip (or other Postal Code) - The Zip Code (domestic) or Postal Code (foreign)
corresponding to the food processing plant at the location being registered.
*Country (if other than U.S.) – The country name of the establishment where the
food processing plant is located.
*Telephone No. - The telephone number where the food processing plant is
located as reported on the FFR registration.
TeleFax No. - The fax number, if applicable.

D.

Section 3: Preferred Mailing Address

Section 3 of the registration form has data entry fields for the preferred mailing address,
which may be different from the physical location of the establishment. This preferred
mailing address will be used for all FDA correspondence regarding registration and process
filing. There are two scenarios with respect to the preferred mailing address:

Page 6 of 13

•
•

Scenario 1: If the preferred mailing address is the same as the food processing
plant location identified in Section 2, check the “Same as Plant Location” box.
Scenario 2: If the preferred mailing address is different from the food processing
plant location identified in Section 2, do not check the “Same as Plant Location”
box. Instead, enter the applicable information in the required and optional fields.
You may enter a Post Office (P.O.) box number instead of street address and number,
if applicable.

See a list of required and optional fields immediately below. Fields marked with an
asterisk (*) below under this section of the instructions are required.
*Establishment Name - The name of the company as you wish it to appear on any
mailing information. *Number and Street - The address for all mail
correspondence.
*City and State or Province (or other Subdivision) - The city and State or
Province for all mail correspondence.
*Zip (or other Postal Code) - The Zip Code (domestic) or Postal Code (foreign)
for all mail correspondence.
*Country (if other than U.S.) – The country name of the establishment for the
preferred mailing address information for correspondence.
*Telephone Number - The applicable telephone number.
TeleFax Number - Any applicable fax number.

E.
Section 4: Low Acid and/or Acidified Foods Processed at this
Location
Section 4 of the registration form has data entry fields to create a list of all the AF and/or
LACF products that are manufactured, processed, or packed at the FCE location.
Products processed under the continuous inspection of the meat and poultry inspection
program of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act
are not covered by 21 CFR 108.25 or 108.35. Therefore, do not list meat and poultry
foods under the jurisdiction of the FSIS. Describe the actual food commodity or
formulated food in the container (e.g., beans, green; mushrooms (button); tuna (light);
sardines (sild)).
If the product is named in a foreign language, provide its English equivalent first and then
provide the foreign language name in parentheses (e.g., green kidney beans (flageolets) in
brine).

Page 7 of 13

The product name may include scientific names. When a scientific name is in Latin, the
product name should also include the common English translation or description of the
scientific name (e.g., mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) pieces and stems, in brine; Beans
(Phaseolus vulgaris) in brine).
Select either Low Acid or Acidified, depending on whether the product is a low-acid food
or an acidified food.

F.

Section 5: Establishment Contact Person

Section 5 of the registration form has data entry fields for contact information for the
Establishment Contact Person (ECP). An ECP should be an authorized, responsible
official with the processing plant or with the facility’s corporate office, or an individual
authorized by the facility to act on behalf of the facility. Check the appropriate box for
“Position” of the ECP. See a list of required and optional fields immediately below.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) below under this section of the instructions are
required.
*Name of Contact and Business Address - The first and last name of the person who is
authorized to represent the facility as the ECP, as well as the ECP’s business address. If
the ECP’s business address is not the same as the processing plant location, include the
applicable business address.
*Position - The position of the ECP as described below:
•

Owner – Owner of the processing plant or the corporate office.

•

Technologist – Technologist employed at the processing plant or the corporate
office.

•

Manager – Manager employed at the processing plant or the corporate office.

•

Director – Director employed at the processing plant or the corporate office.

•

President/Vice President – President/Vice President of the processing plant or the
corporate office.

•

Other Employee – An employee of the processing plant or corporate office who
is NOT the Owner, Technologist, Manager, Director, or President/Vice President.

•

Authorized Third Party - A person other than an Owner, Technologist, Manager,
Director, President/Vice President, or Other Employee who has been authorized
by the commercial processor to submit the form on behalf of the commercial
processor.

Page 8 of 13

*Phone Number – The phone number of the ECP.
FAX Number – The FAX number of the ECP.
Email Address - The email address of the ECP.
*Signature - The signature of the ECP.
*Date- The date of the signature of the ECP

G.

Notes

The right hand section of the form entitled “Please Note the Following” advises you that:
The requester hereby presents and acknowledges that the company is aware that in
making this request the company is subject to the terms and provisions of Title 18,
Section 1001, United States Code which makes it a criminal offense to falsify, conceal, or
cover up a material fact; make any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or
representation; or make or use any false writing or document knowing the same to
contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry.
Subject to the terms of 21 CFR 108.25 (c)(1) and (2) and 108.35 (c)(1) and (2), no
commercial processor shall engage in the processing of low-acid or acidified foods until
the completed Forms FDA 2541 and 2541d, 2541e, 2541f, and/or 2541g have been filed
with the FDA within the applicable time frames specified in these regulations.

III. How to Change or Cancel Registration Information
The ECP, or a user authorized to act on behalf of the ECP, may change registration
information or cancel a registration after the registration has been submitted to FDA.

A.

Change Registration Information

To change registration information, do the following:
•

Select Change Registration in the space provided. Enter the FCE number.

•

Enter the reason for the change next to “Specify Type of Change” as discussed in
Section I.

•

Complete the information under the applicable section(s). You may skip the
sections of Form FDA 2541 that are not applicable to the change in registration
information.
Page 9 of 13

•

B.

Return the completed signed and dated form to FDA using the contact
information provided in Section IV of these instructions.

Cancel Registration

You must notify us not later than 90 days after you cease or discontinue the manufacture,
processing, or packing of the foods in any establishment, except that you need not do so
for temporary cessations due to the seasonal character of your production or due to
temporary conditions (e.g., labor disputes or fire) (21 CFR 108.25(c)(1) and 21 CFR
108.35(c)(1)).
There are two ways to cancel a registration using Form FDA 2541:
•

Make a copy of the original Form FDA 2541 that FDA provided to you that
included the FCE number, select the checkbox next to “Change Registration
Information,” enter “Cancelation” in the space provided next to “Specify Type of
Change,” and return the form to FDA using the contact information provided in
Section IV of these instructions;
Or;

•

Using a blank Form FDA 2541, select the checkbox “Change Registration
Information,” and in the space provided enter the FCE number to be canceled.

•

Enter “Cancelation” in the space provided next to “Specify Type of Change.”

•

Complete Section 5 and return the form to FDA using the information provided in
Section IV of these instructions.

Alternatively, you may cancel a registration by contacting us using the contact
information provided in section IV of these instructions.

IV. How to Contact FDA or Obtain Help
You may contact us:
•
•
•

By email at LACF@fda.hhs.gov;
By telephone at 240-402-2411; and
By mail at the address immediately below.

Food and Drug Administration
LACF Registration Coordinator (HFS-303)
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, Maryland 20740-3835

Page 10 of 13

V.

References

1. Guidance for Industry: Submitting For FDA 2541 (Food Canning Establishment
Registration) and Forms FDA 2541d, FDA 2541e, FDA 2541f, and FDA 2541g (Food
Process Filing Forms) to FDA in Electronic or Paper Format

VI. Appendix
A.

Examples of Completed FDA 2541 Registration Form

Figure 1 – Example of FDA 2541 for a New Registration

Page 11 of 13

Figure 2 - Example of FDA 2541 Relocation of Establishment

Page 12 of 13

Figure 3 –Example of FDA 2541 Cancellation of Establishment

Page 13 of 13