State and local governments have an
increasingly important role in helping improve public health through
food safety and security. FSIS provides guidance and assistance
on the use of science-driven, risk-based approaches to the control
of foodborne hazards. States and local governments help oversee
the raising and transporting of food producing animals, the administration
of inspections to intrastate meat and poultry processing facilities,
and the regulatory oversight of retail and inspection-exempt businesses
handling those products.
State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
Twenty-seven states have established meat and poultry inspection
programs for products produced and sold within their jurisdictions.
They must enforce requirements at least equal to those of FSIS'
Federal inspection program and are reimbursed up to 50% of the cost.
Related Information:
State
Oversight of Inspection-Exempt Products, Food Transport, Storage,
Retail Stores and Restaurants Resources
Most of the Nation's meat and poultry (and all its processed egg
product) is produced under Federal inspection in about 6,200 plants,
but much processing and handling of products takes place outside
those plants. Inspection requirements are waived for meat from custom
slaughter facilities, poultry from small farms, and products processed
in retail stores and restaurants, but these products must remain
safe for human consumption.
FSIS provides information, materials, and assistance to help State
and local agencies achieve food safety goals. These
resources
and publications are designed to help you reduce foodborne hazards.
Federal Emergency Laboratory Network
FSIS, together with FDA, helps to maintain communications and coordination
among government laboratories at the Federal, State, and local government
levels, to ensure laboratory capabilities and capacities are adequate
for any emergency involving food and agriculture.
Animal and
Egg Production Food Safety (PDF Only)
Improving the safety of meat, poultry and egg products depends on
reducing or eliminating hazards associated with source animals.
This involves animal production, transportation, marketing and pre-slaughter
preparation of livestock, poultry and production of eggs.
Cooperative
Agreements
FSIS continuously seeks new ideas and strategies to reduce the incidence
of foodborne illnesses associated with meat, poultry, and egg products.
We strengthen our public health capabilities and support for food
safety innovation through the funding of cooperative agreements.
Food
Defense & Emergency Response
FSIS works with State agencies as well as with its sister Federal
agencies in the safeguarding of America's food and agriculture industries.
FSIS provides
guidelines
that all segments of the population, including meat, poultry, and
egg products plants can use to ensure that the products they produce
and consume remain safe and secure.
