Food Safety Mission Area
The Food Safety Mission Area ensures that the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. The mission area also plays a key role in the President's Council on Food Safety and has been instrumental in coordinating a National food safety strategic plan among various partner agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and others.

• Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) sets standards for food safety and inspects meat, poultry, and egg products produced domestically and imported. The Service inspects animals and birds at slaughter and processed products at various stages of the production process, and analyzes products for microbiological and chemical adulterants. FSIS also informs the public about meat, poultry, and egg product food safety issues. FSIS works with the Research, Education and Economics mission area on food safety research issues and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on instances where animal diseases impact food safety. FSIS also facilitates the management of U.S. activities pertaining to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international organization created by the United Nations, to promote the health and economic interests of consumers while encouraging fair international trade in food. FAS supports FSIS in food safety discussions in the food export market.

  Authorizing Legislation: FSIS was established by the Secretary of Agriculture in 1981, pursuant to legislative authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 301 which permits the Secretary to issue regulations governing USDA. Its work is carried out under the authority of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act.

  Home Page Address: http://www.fsis.usda.gov