What Does This Date Mean?

Open dating is found on most foods including meat, poultry, egg and dairy products. There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions used on food labels for open dating in the United States. As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used on labels to describe quality dates. Learn what the dates mean on your food.

Explore Food Product Dating

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.

How We Inspect Learn About Guidance

Grants & Financial Options

USDA is committed to supporting meat, poultry and egg establishments of all sizes. There are several opportunities available for financial and technical assistance.

Find Funding Options

Small & Very Small Plant Guidance

Looking for help? FSIS compliance and inspection resources will help address common questions and challenges for small operators.

Discover Resources

Poultry production line with personnel working

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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Food Safety

Handling & Preparation Tips

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.

Learn More

total recalls in 2023

total public health alerts in 2023

Top 2023 Recall Reasons

41%

MISBRANDING

37%

PRODUCT CONTAMINATION

37%

UNREPORTED ALLERGENS

Corona Virus as viewed under a microscope - courtesy CDC

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

Food Safety Tips

Cleanliness Prevents Illness

Mishandling food can lead to foodborne illness. Wash hands and surfaces often.

Learn More

Be Smart. Keep Foods Apart.

When handling raw meat, poultry and seafood, keep separate to prevent cross-contamination.

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Take Your Food's Temperature

Cook raw meat and poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature.

Learn More

Keep Foods Chill, and Stay Safe

Cold temperatures keep harmful bacteria from growing, so refrigerate promptly.

Learn More

Have a Question or Concern About a Food Product?

Call Our Hotline

For help with meat, poultry and processed egg products, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

Call Now

Raw chicken on plate with ingredients laying near.

Report a Problem with Food Online

If you having a problem with a food product, let FSIS know or find the appropriate public health organization.

Report Problem

Free & Open Access to Information

In keeping with our society's interest in an open government, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows any person access to almost all Federal agency records unless they are protected by one of nine exemptions.

Learn About FOIA

Collaboration & Input

FSIS actively promotes and encourages collaboration to improve food safety outcomes and protect public health. Sharing information, promoting discussion and seeking input on science-based, data-driven policy decisions helps stakeholders become part of the food safety solution.

Learn About Our Rulemaking

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.