FSIS 101: Mission of the Food Safety and Inspection Service

Statement Before the House Committee on Agriculture
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Peterson, and members of the Committee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thank you for the opportunity again to come before you today to discuss the Food Safety and Inspection Service. I appreciate this chance to highlight our mission and our people.

FY 2017 Budget Request for Food Safety

Statement before U.S. House of Representatives
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Farr, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With me is Michael Young, USDA’s Budget Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the status of the Agency's programs and policies.

FY 2016 Budget Request for Food Safety

Statement Before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Farr, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With me is Michael Young, USDA’s Budget Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the status of the agency's programs and policies.

Constituent Update - January 29, 2021

Tips for Faster Label Approval Process
Labels are currently taking about 3-5 business days to evaluate. 
TIP: The appeal function in the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS) should be used only when the establishment and FSIS cannot come to a consensus on a label modification or return. 

Constituent Update February 12, 2021

Tips for a Faster Label Approval Process
Labels are currently taking about 3-5 business days to evaluate.
TIP: Egg product labels are now eligible for generic approval if the label does not meet any of the conditions that require label approval in 9 CFR 412.1.

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Spaghetti and Meatballs in Marinara Sauce Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for heat treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable, spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically metal. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed.

Keep Foodborne Illness Away from Your Super Bowl End Zone

(Washington, D.C., February 3, 2021) – Score a touchdown this year with your Super Bowl LV snacks by keeping bacteria out of the end zone. While your Super Bowl traditions may look different this year given COVID-19 and the need to maintain social distancing, your plans probably still involve food. Whether you are cooking your favorite munchies from scratch or ordering from a nearby restaurant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) wants you to remember to follow safe food handling rules.

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