USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Definition

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is a regulatory agency within the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for ensuring the safety and proper labeling of meat, poultry, and processed egg products sold in the U.S.

What is the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service?

FSIS carries out its mission through inspection, enforcement, and regulatory oversight activities to protect public health and prevent foodborne illnesses. It conducts inspections of meat, poultry, and egg processing facilities to verify compliance with federal food safety regulations and standards. Inspectors examine production processes, sanitation practices, and product labeling.

FSIS implements measures to control and reduce the presence of harmful diseases. This includes monitoring and testing for pathogens at various stages of production, implementing food safety interventions, and issuing recalls when necessary to reduce risks to public health.

Furthermore, FSIS regulates the labeling and packaging of meat, poultry, and egg products to ensure accuracy and transparency for consumers. It sets standards for product labeling, including ingredients, nutrition information, handling instructions, and allergen declarations, to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

FSIS also inspects and regulates imported meat, poultry, and egg products to make sure they meet U.S. food safety standards before entering the country. Imported products must undergo inspection and testing to verify compliance with FSIS requirements.

Lastly, FSIS coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies to respond to food safety emergencies, outbreaks, and incidents involving meat, poultry, and egg products. It collaborates with public health authorities to investigate and contain foodborne illness outbreaks and implement actions to prevent future outbreaks.