Makin' Bacon?
Mmmmm, bacon. Whether an addition or a main component, bacon can add flavor to all sorts of dishes. Most bacon sold in the United States is "streaky" bacon, long narrow slices cut crosswise from the belly that contain veins of pink meat within white fat. With the average American eating about 18 pounds of bacon each year, it's important to make sure you're preparing it safely.
Explore Bacon and Food Safety
Safety Through Inspection
KEEPING FOOD SAFE WITH SCIENCE-BASED ACTION
FSIS protects the public's health by ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled.
Reducing Salmonella in Poultry
Through Science-Based Action
USDA is mobilizing a stronger and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses related to poultry products.
Learn About This Collaborative Effort
Evidence-Based Policies in Action
Science
Research, Methods & Data
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Policy
Rulemaking & Regulatory Guides
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Food Safety
Handling & Preparation Tips
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Food Safety Facts
6.9
Thousand
establishments that FSIS monitors
7.7
Million
food safety and food defense procedures
297
Thousand
Humane Handling & Good Commercial Practices Enforcement Activities
Did you know that the 1905 book The Jungle was a driver of the Federal Meat Inspection Act that governs FSIS’ activities today?
Upton Sinclair's novel took aim at the poor working conditions in a Chicago meatpacking house. The ensuing public furor moved Congress to pass the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), which President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law in 1906 and requires federal inspectors in meat-packing houses.
89
total recalls in 2023
24
total public health alerts in 2023
Top 2023 Recall Reasons
41%
MISBRANDING
37%
PRODUCT CONTAMINATION
37%
UNREPORTED ALLERGENS
USDA Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information
Get Answers and Find Resources
President Biden's National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness calls on all parts of the federal government to contribute resources, facilities, personnel, and expertise to contain the pandemic. USDA is responding to that call.
Visit USDA's COVID-19 Info Center
Have a Question or Concern About a Food Product?
Careers
Join the Food Safety and Inspection Service
Consider a job with the Food Safety and Inspection Service. As an employee at one of the largest public health regulatory agencies in the U.S. Government, you can have the satisfaction of doing work that protects the public. Explore the job profiles below to learn more about what we do.
Food Inspector
Inspectors provide the first line of defense against adulterated meat and poultry products.
Consumer Safety Inspector
CSIs ensure a plant is operating within its written plans for HACCP, sanitation, and processing.
Public Health Veterinarian
PHVs help oversee the effectiveness of farm-to-table food safety systems.
Scientific Positions
FSIS scientists protect the public by providing microbiological, pathological, chemical and other scientific analyses of meat, poultry, and egg products.
Administrative
FSIS Administrative Positions include roles ranging from human resources to purchasing.
Professional Positions
FSIS Professional Positions include roles ranging from data analysts to financial managers.
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