Under provision of the Poultry Products Inspection Act, protective coverings may be exempt from labeling requirements for immediate containers. Under certain circumstances, some protective coverings are considered immediate containers; under different circumstances, they are regarded only as protective product coverings.

When plastic film bags, cardboard cartons, etc., are used for protecting poultry sold for export or to institutions, e.g., hotels, restaurants, and hospitals (where the contents are consumed on the premises), they are exempt from the mandatory labeling of immediate containers, provided the shipping container meets all the labeling requirements for an immediate container. Such product may not be diverted to retail channels and displayed for sale or be sold to household consumers unless they bear all labeling features required for immediate containers.

See: 9 CFR 381.65(p)