Inspections

Learn how government inspects and monitors food products to ensure compliance with food safety standards and inspection legislation.

Inspection Basics

Inspection & Grading of Meat and Poultry: What Are the Differences? (USDA)
Inspections ensure that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

Slaughter Inspection 101 Fact Sheet (USDA)
Basic information on the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and their inspection process.

Inspection of Foods (Except Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products) and Pet Food

Cooperative Program Ensures Safe Shellfish (FDA)
How industry and government work together to keep shellfish safe.
See the slideshow or read the article

Egg Safety Action Plan (FDA)
Includes the Egg Safety Final Rule from July 2009.

The Produce Safety Action Plan (FDA)
Plans to minimize foodborne illness associated with consumption of fresh produce.

Retail Food Protection (FDA)
Food safety information for 3,000 state, local and tribal agencies that regulate retail food and food service industries.

Inspections & Enforcement (FDA)
Gateway to information on inspections, compliance manuals, enforcement actions, and criminal investigations.

Pet Food (FDA)
The FDA requires that pet foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.

Inspection of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

Regulations and Policies (USDA)
Gateway to inspections and compliance information for meat, poultry, and processed egg products.

State Inspection Programs (USDA)
State programs must enforce requirements "at least equal to" those imposed under federal statutes.

Regulatory Enforcement (USDA)
Residue Violators Lists, Quarterly Enforcement Reports, and other enforcement information.