Science & Data

Science and data drive FSIS decisions for policy and implementation.

Keeping abreast of the latest scientific initiatives and promoting research in food safety is critical to the FSIS mission. FSIS collects scientific information and releases data sets and reports to help advance food safety policy and increase transparency.

Strengthening our annual sampling program is a core initiative to better understand relative risks for contamination of FSIS-regulated products. Implemented in 2019, our annual sampling helps FSIS leverage new technology to better identify microbiological and chemical hazards and decrease their presence in food.

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Promoting Research Important to Food Safety

Interested in helping FSIS further its public service mission?
Researchers interested in pursuing food safety science objectives can review a list of our top suggested areas for research.
Learn About Our Research Priorities

Browse Our Data Sets

FSIS has a several data sets available to download or in summary format.

Explore Data Sets

Featured Data Sets & Resources

FSIS collects various types of data on the Agency's activities. These data range from counts of regulated federal meat and poultry establishments, total volume of meat and poultry slaughtered, and product sampling data.

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Microbiology

Results of baseline data studies, E. coli testing, RTE product sampling, and Salmonella/Campylobacter verification testing.
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Chemical Residues and Contaminants

Annual information on the process of sampling meat, poultry, and egg products for chemical contaminants, as well as repeat violators.
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Laboratory Sampling Data

Sampling data for egg products, raw poultry products, raw beef products, and ready-to-eat products.
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Participate In Creating Standards

Federal rulemaking is an important part of the food safety system. FSIS invites the science community to participate in establishing standards for our food safety policies and services.

Find Out More About Rulemaking

Related Resources

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Journal Publications

FSIS research and findings are published in peer-reviewed journals.
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Quarterly Enforcement Reports

Review the enforcement actions FSIS has taken to ensure that consumers have access to safe, wholesome and properly labeled products.
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Humane Handling Enforcement

Contains official notifications of enforcement actions and restarts when the establishment has demonstrated regulatory compliance.
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