New Steps to Strengthen Oversight of Food Processing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced several new steps to strengthen the agency’s oversight of food processing facilities it regulates and ensure safe food. These steps reflect the agency’s effort to protect public health through science-based regulation, strong enforcement, and advancement of its prevention-first approach to eliminating foodborne illness.

Over the past several months, Listeria monocytogenes has been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks and large-scale recalls of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, causing the agency to review its processes closely. While the agency’s review continues, FSIS is announcing a number of improvements and initiatives that can be implemented quickly. The agency will share more information about additional actions that may be needed after further review and stakeholder engagement.

The changes FSIS is announcing fall into three categories: enhancing its science-based approach to mitigate foodborne pathogens, with a key focus on Listeria monocytogenes; improving training and tools for its inspection workforce; and evolving its oversight of regulated facilities, with an emphasis on data review and state inspection agreements.

FSIS has also issued new guidance to provide more transparency around animal raising claims like “no antibiotics ever” and “pasture-raised.”

As USDA’s public health regulatory agency, FSIS is responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, and thereby reducing foodborne illness linked to FSIS-regulated products. More information about FSIS’ work to keep consumers safe can be found in the agency’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. Learn more at fsis.usda.gov.