Strategic Planning

The FSIS Strategic Plan is the foundation document for both the long range and day-to-day operations of the Agency.

As we step into the next 4 years, our strategic goals will continue to focus on reducing illness from meat, poultry, and egg products, further enhancing our inspection systems and ensuring compliance with food safety regulation.

– Paul Kiecker, FSIS Administrator

More About the Plan

This plan expands upon the great progress FSIS has made over the past 5 years and continues to emphasize the use of science and data to implement advanced and innovative approaches to food safety. As the public health regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS is responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, and thereby reducing foodborne illness linked to FSIS-regulated products. Our employees work hard every day to conduct a broad range of food safety activities to achieve FSIS’ vision that everyone’s food is safe.

2023-2026 Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan expands upon the great progress FSIS has made over the past 5 years and continues to emphasize the use of science and data to implement advanced and innovative approaches to food safety.

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In addition to establishing a clear foundation for our long-range and day-to-day operations, the Plan positions the agency to anticipate future needs and challenges.

Goal 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health

Outcome 1.1: Prevent Adulteration and Misbranding
- Objective 1.1.1: Strengthen Compliance With Food Safety Statutes and Regulations
- Objective 1.1.2: Achieve Pathogen Reduction
- Objective 1.1.3: Assure Labeling Is Truthful and Not Misleading
Outcome 1.2: Limit Illness From FSIS-Regulated Products
- Objective 1.2.1: Strengthen Food Safety Practices Throughout the Supply Chain
- Objective 1.2.2: Enhance Collaborative Response to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and Other Public Health Incidents
- Objective 1.2.3: Raise Consumer Awareness of Food Safety

Goal 2: Transform Inspection Strategies, Policies, and Scientific Approaches to Improve Public Health

Outcome 2.1: Improve Food Safety Through the Adoption of Innovative Approaches and Technologies
- Objective 2.1.1: Advance and Adopt Innovative Regulatory Policies and Inspection Verification Procedures
- Objective 2.1.2: Foster the Adoption of Advanced Scientific Techniques
Outcome 2.2: Optimize Data Use at Every Level of Agency Decision Making
- Objective 2.2.1: Improve the Integrity, Accessibility, and Utility of Data
- Objective 2.2.2: Strengthen Data Analyses and Evaluations
- Objective 2.2.3: Optimize the Design of Sampling Programs for Decision Making

Goal 3: Achieve Operational Excellence

Outcome 3.1: Sustain and Advance an Adaptable, High-Performing, and Engaged Workforce
- Objective 3.1.1: Expand Recruitment and Increase Retention for Mission-Critical Positions
- Objective 3.1.2: Enhance Employee Training and Professional Development
- Objective 3.1.3: Ensure Equal Opportunity, Civil Rights, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Work Environment
Outcome 3.2: Optimize Service Delivery
- Objective 3.2.1: Enhance Effectiveness and Efficiency of Key Business Processes
- Objective 3.2.2: Improve Customer Service
- Objective 3.2.3: Transform Business Infrastructure and Information Technology

Past Plans

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The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 2017–2021 Strategic Plan builds on prior successes and reflects emerging issues that FSIS faces in ensuring that the food products we regulate are safe to eat. By using cutting-edge yet practical science, enhanced data capabilities, and our employees’ skills and expertise, we will continue to modernize and be more effective in meeting our public health mission.

Summary of the Strategic Framework

Goal 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health

Outcome 1.1. Prevent Contamination
- Objective 1.1.1. Drive Compliance With Food Safety Statutes and Regulations
- Objective 1.1.2. Strengthen Sampling Programs
- Objective 1.1.3. Ensure Establishments Are Meeting Pathogen Reduction Performance Standards
- Objective 1.1.4. Promote Food Defense Practices
Outcome 1.2. Limit Illness From Regulated Products
- Objective 1.2.1. Improve Food Safety at In-Commerce Facilities
- Objective 1.2.2. Enhance Response to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and Adulteration Events
- Objective 1.2.3. Increase Public Awareness of Recalls, Foodborne Illness, and Safe Food Handling Practices

Goal 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches

Outcome 2.1. Improve Food Safety and Humane Handling Practices Through Adoption of Innovative Approaches
- Objective 2.1.1. Modernize Scientific Techniques and Inspection Procedures
- Objective 2.1.2. Increase Adoption of Humane Handling Best Practices
Outcome 2.2. Enhance Access To Complete and Accurate Information to Inform Decisions
- Objective 2.2.1. Improve the Reliability, Access, and Timely Collection and Distribution of Information

Goal 3: Achieve Operational Excellence

Outcome 3.1. Maintain a Well-Trained and Engaged Workforce
- Objective 3.1.1. Improve Recruitment and Retention for Mission Critical Positions
- Objective 3.1.2. Enhance Training and Development Opportunities Across Competency Areas
- Objective 3.1.3. Ensure Equal Opportunity and a Diverse and Inclusive Environment
Outcome 3.2. Improved Processes and Services
- Objective 3.2.1. Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness of Key Business Processes and Systems
- Objective 3.2.2. Improve Service Delivery

Related Documents

All FSIS employees are actively engaged in preventing foodborne illness and protecting public health. We are one team, with one purpose, working toward a common and extremely important goal.

As noted by Administrator Al Almanza, "This Strategic Plan encompasses our strategic intentions over the next 5 years, and will serve as a foundation document for both the long-range and day-today operations of the Agency."

A main driver of this 5-year Strategic Plan is the desire for the Agency to continue to be an ever more trusted and successful public health agency—an Agency that adapts to the changing nature of food safety risks.

Summary of the Strategic Framework

Strategic Theme: Prevent Foodborne Illness

Goal 1: Ensure that food safety inspection aligns with existing and emerging risks
Goal 2: Maximize domestic and international compliance with food safety policies
Goal 3: Enhance public education and outreach to improve food-handling practices
Goal 4: Strengthen collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to prevent foodborne illness

Strategic Theme: Understand and Influence the Farm-to-Table Continuum

Goal 5: Effectively use science to understand foodborne illness and emerging trends
Goal 6: Implement effective policies to respond to existing and emerging risks

Strategic Theme: Empower People and Strengthen Infrastructure

Goal 7: Empower employees with the training, resources, and tools to enable success in protecting public health
Goal 8: Based on the defined Agency business needs, develop, maintain, and use innovative methodologies, processes, and tools, including PHIS, to protect public health efficiently and effectively and to support defined public health needs and goals

Related Information: Annual Performance Plan

The Annual Performance Plan provides a clear list of Agency priorities and a detailed roadmap of the steps FSIS intends to take during the current fiscal year to achieve its mission.