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Over 7,500 inspection personnel verify that regulations regarding food safety and other consumer protection
concerns are met in nearly 6,500 meat, poultry, and egg processing plants. In slaughter plants, inspection
involves examining, before and after slaughter, birds and animals intended for use as food. In egg processing
plants, inspection involves examining, before and after breaking, eggs intended for further processing and use
as food.
FSIS sets requirements for meat and poultry labels and for certain slaughter and processing activities, such as
plant sanitation and thermal processing, that the industry must meet. FSIS tests
for microbiological, chemical, and other types of contamination and conducts epidemiological investigations. In addition, the
Agency conducts enforcement activities to address situations
where unsafe, unwholesome, or inaccurately labeled products have been produced or marketed.
In addition to these inspection activities, FSIS also ensures the safety of imported products.
FSIS reviews inspection systems in all foreign countries eligible to export meat and poultry to the United States to ensure that
they are equivalent to that of the U.S. The Agency also conducts reinspection of all imported meat and poultry products entering
the United States to verify that the country’s inspection system is working.
FSIS is also responsible for assessing whether State inspection programs
that regulate meat and poultry products are equal to the Federal program. Products produced under the State programs may be sold
only within the State in which they were produced. The 1967 Wholesome Meat Act and the 1968 Wholesome Poultry Act established
the "at least equal to" standard. FSIS assumes responsibility for inspection if a State chooses to end its inspection
program or cannot maintain the standard.
Through consumer education programs and the
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-MPHotline),
the FSIS keeps the public informed on how to properly handle, prepare, and store meat, poultry, and egg products to prevent
foodborne illness.
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| FSIS Legal Authority
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