The Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health. Established on June 17, 1981, by the Secretary of Agriculture, FSIS operates under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953. Its primary mission is to ensure that the commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States is not only safe and wholesome but also accurately labeled and packaged. This commitment to food safety and inspection service is fundamental to maintaining consumer confidence and preventing foodborne illnesses.
At the heart of the FSIS’s responsibilities is mandatory inspection. This federal mandate necessitates the inspection of specific animals used for human consumption, including cattle, calves, swine, goats, sheep, lambs, horses, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas. The inspection process is comprehensive, covering each animal or bird before and after slaughter, as well as processed products at various stages of production. This rigorous approach to meat, poultry, and egg products inspection is designed to identify and eliminate potential hazards before they reach consumers.
The scope of the food safety and inspection service extends to all raw meat and poultry sold in interstate and foreign commerce, encompassing both domestic and imported products. FSIS maintains continuous oversight of these products even after they leave federally inspected plants. To ensure ongoing compliance and identify emerging risks, FSIS conducts regular sampling and testing of egg, meat, and poultry products. These tests are designed to detect microbial and chemical contaminants, allowing the agency to monitor trends, enforce regulations, and proactively address potential food safety issues.
Beyond routine inspections, the Food Safety and Inspection Service provides inspection services at federal facilities and offers voluntary inspection programs for animals not subject to mandatory regulations, such as buffalo, rabbit, and deer. FSIS also monitors meat and poultry products throughout the supply chain, including storage, distribution, and retail channels. When necessary, FSIS takes decisive compliance actions to protect the public. These actions can range from detaining products and initiating voluntary recalls to court-ordered seizures, administrative withdrawal of inspection services, and referrals for criminal prosecution in severe cases. Furthermore, the agency plays a vital role in overseeing state inspection programs, ensuring consistent standards for meat and poultry products sold within individual states. Through these multifaceted efforts, the food safety and inspection service provided by FSIS is critical to the integrity of the nation’s food supply.
