Sampling Program

FSIS produces a number of comprehensive reports related to the Agency's sampling programs. These reports allow FSIS to publicly share information about the Agency's' sampling programs, discuss the statistical and policy basis for these programs and future changes to develop new programs and modify existing programs.

FSIS released the Report on the Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs in December 2011, which identified all of FSIS’ sampling programs and discussed the statistical and policy basis for the programs

Report on the Food Safety and Inspection Service's Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs

FSIS releases a new sampling plan each fiscal year. The sampling plans describe FSIS’ major activities related to microbiological and chemical residue sampling in domestic establishments, import, and in-commerce facilities during the fiscal year and the Agency’s overall strategy for directing its sampling resources for the following year. The Annual Sampling Program Plans can be found below:

FY 2024, Sep 2023
FY 2023, Nov 2022
FY 2022, Dec 2021
FY 2021, Dec 2020
FY 2020, Mar 2020
FY 2019, Nov 2018
FY 2018, Dec 2017
FY 2017, Oct 2016
FY 2016, Oct 2015

FSIS also releases the Annual Catalog of Sampling Projects which lists the various project and test codes for the Agency’s sampling programs.

FSIS 2023 Annual Catalog of Sampling Projects

View the sampling data for laboratories at establishment-specific datasets.

View the datasets

View the Sampling Results for FSIS regulated products

FSIS announced the launch of the Raw Pork Products Exploratory Sampling Program (RPPESP) in April 2015. The goal of the project is to collect data on the presence of Salmonella, other pathogens, and indicator organisms in various pork products.

Read more about the sampling program

FSIS must be notified prior to the import of meat, poultry and egg products samples destined for laboratory examination, research, evaluative testing, or trade show exhibition. Such samples are not subject to FSIS import inspection requirements but are subject to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) animal disease restrictions. They may originate in any foreign country, provided there are no animal health restrictions imposed by APHIS. Samples originating in countries with animal health restrictions will require an APHIS permit prior to importing.

The importer, broker, or applicant must notify FSIS prior to Importing the samples using FSIS Form 9540-5 (3/12/2004), "Notification of Intent for the Importation of Meat, Poultry or Egg Product Samples for Laboratory Examination, Research, Evaluative Testing, or Trade Show Exhibition." Submit the form to FSIS, Recall Management and Technical Analysis Division (RMTAD), Import Operations (IO) at importinspection@fsis.usda.gov.

If the sample is a cooked beef product from a country where foot and mouth disease or Rinderpest exists, it must be presented with an APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) import permit. Sample shipments for research or evaluation that present with a VS import permit require CBP inspection only. Sample shipments of cooked beef product from a country where foot and mouth disease or Rinderpest exists that do not present with a VS import permit are to be treated as a commercial shipment and reinspected by FSIS.

Once in the United States, these samples may be used only for laboratory examination, research, evaluative testing, or trade show exhibition. They may not be sold, distributed, or consumed by the public. If the products are used for consumer test marketing or sales promotions, they will be regarded as commercial shipments and subject to FSIS import regulations, including the requirement that they must originate in eligible foreign countries and establishments and must be certified for export to the United States.

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