Labeling and Consumer Protection

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.  FSIS enforces the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act which require the federal inspection of meat and poultry products prepared for distribution in commerce for use as human food.

Our Mission

The Labeling and Consumer Protection Staff (LCPS) develops policies and inspection methods and administers programs to protect consumers from misbranded and economically adulterated meat, poultry, and egg products.  The purpose of the Staff's activities is to ensure that all labels are truthful and not misleading.  Labeling includes all forms of product identification, claims, net weight, species identification and nutrition related to meat, poultry and egg products.  The staff serves as the Agency expert group on the composition of meat, poultry, and egg products, including safe and suitable ingredients.

Correspondence about labeling and additives policy should be addressed to:

Correspondence about  label applications sent by the U.S. Postal Service (including U.S. Priority Mail and U.S. Overnight Mail), and Express Mail (not connected with the U.S. Postal Service), should be addressed as follows:

Correspondence about label applications may be faxed to the Labeling Compliance Team.  Please provide a cover sheet indicating the reason for the fax.

Label applications from small businesses (as described in the document entitled, "FSIS New Release - FSIS Provides Business-Friendly Internet Support for Meat and Poultry Label Approval" and "FSIS Support for Small and Very Small Plants for Label Approval" on this website) will be accepted, provided the labeling is legible.  Also, provide the required amount of copies in proper sequence, that is application form (FSIS Form 7234-1 [PDF (3 pp)] (October 3, 2002))and label.

FAX:  (202) 205-0145 or (202) 205-0271

Any questions pertaining to labels or labeling, please call (202) 205-0623 or (202) 205-0279.  A staff directory is provided for your convenience.

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Last modified: April 23, 2004