Food Safety and Inspection Service

**FSIS protects public health by preventing illness from meat, poultry, and egg products.** We do this by ensuring these products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled. FSIS is part of a national science-based system to ensure food safety and food defense. FSIS ensures food safety through the authorities of the [Federal Meat Inspection Act](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/federal-meat-inspection-act), the [Poultry Products Inspection Act](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/poultry-products-inspection-act), and the [Egg Products Inspection Act](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/egg-products-inspection-act); as well as humane animal handling through the [Humane Methods of Slaughter Act](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/food-safety-acts/humane-methods-livestock-slaughter-act). **Science Leading the Way in Food Safety for More Than 150 Years** Several events in the latter half of the 1800s set the stage for developing the earliest standards for food processing. **The Journey to Safe Food** [View FSIS History](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/about-fsis/history) **1862** President Abraham Lincoln signs into law an act of Congress establishing the U.S. Department of Agriculture. **1868** The refrigerated rail car is developed allowing the meat packing industry to operate year-round. **1860s** Import of livestock to the US increases and drives the US livestock and meat processing industries to lobby for meat inspection. **1883** Harvey W. Wiley, M.D. becomes the nation's chief chemist (at what is now USDA) and begins his crusade for passing the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. **Addressing Challenges with Strategic Planning** The agency's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan will guide our priorities in the coming years. The below goals set forth in our plan align with USDA's annual plans and provide a framework for understanding how FSIS fulfills our mission and addresses 21st century public health challenges. **Defining Our Future** [View Our Strategic Plan](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/about-fsis/strategic-planning) **Prevent Foodborne Illness** Protect public health by preventing contamination in regulated products. **Transform Inspection Strategies, Policies, and Scientific Approaches to Improve Public Health** Adopt innovative approaches to improve safety and humane handling based on science & data. **Achieve Operational Excellence** Maintain a well-trained, engaged workforce and improve processes and services. **[FSIS Offices and Program Areas](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/contact/fsis-offices)** Committed to one purpose, each FSIS office plays a key role in protecting America's food supply. [See All Offices](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/contact/fsis-offices) **Core Values** Each FSIS staff member dedicates themselves to ensuring public safety. They exhibit the core values - accountable, collaborative, solution-oriented, empowered - that contribute to our strength as an agency and support each other in the work we do for the nation. [Learn About Our Core Values](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/employees)