Production and Inspection Fact Sheets
BSE: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - "Mad Cow Disease" (Mar 2005)
This fact sheet responds to general questions the public may have regarding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), including how it is related to other diseases, what are its causes, and what FSIS is doing to protect the public from it.
BSE: FSIS Further Strengthens Protections Against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (Mar 2005)
This fact sheet describes certain USDA and FSIS rules and regulations for the prevention of and testing for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
BSE: FSIS Technical Service Center Answers Common Questions (Mar 19, 2004)
BSE questions and answers intended for plants and all users of FSIS Web site. These questions have been received frequently by the FSIS Technical Service Center.
BSE Rules Being Strictly Enforced (Aug 12, 2005)
A review of inspection data by FSIS shows strong enforcement of regulations to further enhance safeguards against BSE.
FSIS Rule Designed to Reduce Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat & Poultry Products (Jun 2003)
FSIS issued an interim final rule requiring that federal establishments producing certain ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products take meaningful steps to further reduce the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes.
FSIS Sets New Procedures for Plants That Fail Salmonella Tests (Aug 2002)
FSIS issued new procedures for responding to establishments that fail Salmonella performance standard testing for raw products.
Humane Slaughter: Key Facts (Jan 2012)
USDA considers humane methods of handling animals and humane slaughter operations a priority, and has a Farm Animal Well Being Task Force to address sound standards for the care, handling, transporting, and slaughter of farm animals. Learn more.
Humane Handling Ombudsman (Dec 2012)
FSIS employees, agency stakeholders, and the public can report humane handling concerns or complaints to USDA's Humane Handling Ombudsman when the standard reporting mechanisms do not adequately address or resolve issues.
Inspection for Food Safety: The Basics
This fact sheet provides information on the basics of food safety inspection.
Import Procedures for Meat, Poultry & Egg Products (May 2009)
FSIS audits foreign inspection systems and reinspects product at the port-of-entry to ensure that foreign countries have maintained inspection systems equivalent to those of the U.S.
Importing Meat, Poultry & Egg Products to the United States (Dec 2003)
This fact sheet provides a comparison of the FSIS and FDA import processes and details FSIS' reinspection and import application procedures.
Inspection & Grading of Meat and Poultry: What Are the Differences? (Apr 2012) | PDF | En Español | En Español PDF
The inspection and grading of meat and poultry are two separate programs within USDA. Inspection for wholesomeness is mandatory; grading for quality is voluntary.
Irradiation and Food Safety: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (Mar 2012) | PDF | En Español
Learn more about what food irradiation is and how it works.
ISO Accreditation: Key Facts (Jul 2009)
FSIS has received ISO Standard 17025 accreditation for procedures the agency conducts at its three field service regulatory laboratories and its Food Emergency Response Network laboratory.
Risk Analysis (Jul 2003)
The risk analysis paradigm includes three elements—risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication—and allows regulatory officials to focus finite resources on those hazards that pose the greatest risk to public health.
Slaughter Inspection 101 (Feb 2008)
Describes the basics of inspection, and the duties performed by FSIS inspectors, in meat and poultry slaughter facilities.