Which USDA agency is responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged?

• A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• B. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
• C. National Organic Program (NOP)
• D. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Answer: (D)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the USDA agency responsible for making sure meat, poultry, and egg products sold commercially are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS carries out continuous inspections of slaughter and processing facilities, enforces labeling and packaging rules, and uses HACCP-based controls to manage hazards in these products. When issues arise, FSIS coordinates recalls and enforcement actions to remove unsafe items from the market. Other agencies have different roles—FDA handles most other foods, AMS focuses on marketing and quality grading, and the National Organic Program governs organic labeling—so FSIS is the one specifically tasked with meat, poultry, and egg products.