FSIS 2026 Updates
All About Meat
Labeling
REGULATORY OVERSIGHT & ENFORCEMENT
All About Inspection
100
FSIS launched this 2026 virtual program to allow small plants to interact directly with regulators.
What is askFSIS Live!?
100
In addition to E. coli, this highly common pathogen is often found in raw or undercooked meats, poultry, and eggs, and can cause severe foodborne illness.
What is Salmonella?
100
Labeling features required to be on the Principal Display Panel?
What is Product Name, Inspection Legend, Handling Statement, Net Weight?
100
This federally regulated pathogen is the primary focus of 9 CFR 310.25 and is monitored through routine verification sampling in beef slaughter establishments.
What is E. coli O157:H7?
100
This multilobulated organ was found in a combo of 80 trim, where it doesn’t belong.
Kidney
200
This type of regulatory action is issued when products are no longer available but still pose a risk to consumers.
What is a Public Health Alert (PHA)?
200
These three lowest grades are used to make ground beef and processed products such as hot dogs
What are Utility, Canner and Cutter?
200
Days a temporary label approval can be granted for a deficient label?
What is 180 days?
200
This type of regulatory documentation is issued when an establishment fails to meet a regulatory requirement under the Federal Meat Inspection Act.
What is an NR (Noncompliance Record)?
200
This lymph node is found in the carcass and will be very important when making decisions.
Iliac lymph node
300
A 2026 FSIS alert included products that accidentally contained this allergen newly recognized as a major allergen in the U.S.
What is sesame?
300
Many people of the Muslim faith will only eat this type of certified meat.
What is halal?
300
Exception to allow 'Product of USA' to be on a label if the cattle were not born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the US?
What is labels for export products?
300
This term describes a cluster of positive results indicating a potential systemic failure in slaughter dressing.
What is a High Event Period?
300
Name the condition seen here where if a person eats this, they will develop the beef tapeworm.
Cysticercosis
400
A new 2026 labeling rule requires animals to be born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S. to use this claim.
What is the “Product of USA” label claim?
400
These common meats would never be considered Kosher or halal.
What is pork?
400
True or False: AMS grading for Prime, Choice, Select on labels require a submitted and approved USDA label approval?
False, AMS grading labeling grading claims are generically approved and are not submitted to USDA, but claims must be factual and product complies with regulatory requirements to label products with grading claims
400
This FSIS system houses inspection data, NRs, sampling, and task results.
What is PHIS?
400
Name the condition that is affecting this heart.
Lymphoma
500
In 2026, USDA announced moving FSIS headquarters functions to this Midwestern state.
What is Iowa?
500
This grade is the most widely sold in consumer retail markets and contains slightly less marbling than USDA Prime cuts of meat?
What is USDA Choice
500
Acceptable safety and quality date labeling terminology for on meat products sold in California as required by California state law AB-660?
- Quality date = 'Best if Used By', or 'Best if Used or Frozen By' (or 'BB' if small package)
- Safety date = 'Use By', or 'Use By or Freeze By' (or 'UB' if small package)
500
This severe enforcement action can halt inspection services entirely.
What is a suspension?
500
What are the 5 signs of septicemia that we must watch out for?
petechiated kidneys, kidney infarcts, lung infarcts, swollen joints, reactive lymph nodes