What guidance does FDA have for manufacturers of Meat and Meat Food Products?

Although all foods are subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, meat or meat products derived from cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and horses are subject to the more specific provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act enforced by the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign meat products must originate in countries whose meat inspection programs have been approved. Each shipment must be properly certified by the foreign country and, upon inspection by Federal meat inspectors, found to be completely sound, wholesome, and fit for human food before entry into the United States.

Requests for inspection should be made to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. The imported product, after admission into the United States, becomes a domestic article subject not only to the Federal Meat Inspection Act but also to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to the extent the provisions of the Meat Inspection Act do not apply. Wild game, however, is subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its regulations.