United States Department of Agriculture 

One Team, One Purpose 

Protecting Public Health and Preventing Foodborne Illness 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

 

Ensuring that meat, poultry, and processed eggs are safe, 

wholesome, and accurately labeled. 

Food Safety and Inspection Service: 

Mission in Action 

Our Mission 

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) and is responsible for ensuring that meat, 

poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, 

and accurately labeled. 

Our Authority 

Through a series of Acts, Congress empowers FSIS to 

inspect all meat, poultry, and processed egg products in 

interstate commerce. 

• Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), 1906 

• Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA), 1946 (select sections) 

• Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), 1957 

• Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA), 1970 

In addition to these food safety laws, FSIS also 

implements the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act 

of 1958, which requires that livestock are handled 

and slaughtered humanely. 

One Team, One Purpose 1 
 

Who We Are 

Much has changed since the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906. Today, tens of billions of pounds of meat and poultry and billions of 

pounds of liquid egg products are produced, transported, and sold every 

year. A system of this magnitude requires constant vigilance to prevent the 

possibility of foodborne contamination 

More than 9,600 employees strong, FSIS personnel work together to 

accomplish our mission of protecting public health. Making sure that 

meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe and wholesome is 

not an easy task. It requires many motivated, skilled, and highly trained 

professionals working as one team with one purpose. 

As part of one team, FSIS participates in Cultural Transformation, a 

commitment to work in collaboration with USDA on civil rights and 

equal employment opportunities (EEO), embrace a respectful and 

diverse workforce, and strive for a highly effective, collaborative work 

environment. FSIS fosters an inclusive workforce by recruiting and 

hiring skilled applicants that reflect America’s diversity. FSIS eliminates 

barriers to equal employment and allows employees to advance based 

on merit. Managers and supervisors lead by example to ensure that the 

environment is free from discrimination, hostility, intimidation, reprisal, 

and harassment. 

2 One Team, One Purpose 
 

We leverage the skills 

of our employees to 

deliver quality products 

and services. 

How We Work 

Foodborne illness can be prevented. FSIS strives to lower the incidence of pathogens that cause foodborne illness and limit the occurrence of 

outbreaks in our regulated products. Millions of Americans and consumers 

around the world depend on the work of FSIS to keep them safe. As a 

public health agency, FSIS uses science to achieve the statutory mission 

laid out for us by Congress. Science drives our policy, which drives our 

inspection that ensures that we are prepared to address existing and new 

food safety threats. 

FSIS prevents foodborne illness by: 

• performing food safety inspection activities at more than 6,000 

establishments nationwide, and ensuring that inspection aligns with 

existing and emerging risks;
	

• maximizing domestic and international compliance with food 

safety policies;
	

• enhancing public education and outreach to increase safe food-handling 

practices; and 

• strengthening collaboration among internal and external 

stakeholders and other public and private-sector partners to 

prevent foodborne illness.
	

We expand capacity to address new and evolving risks by: 

• using science effectively to understand foodborne illness and emerging 

trends; and 

• implementing effective policies. 

FSIS also advances other important goals, including: 

• ensuring that animals are handled humanely at slaughter; and 

• ensuring that regulated products are properly packaged and labeled so 

consumers have access to important information about the product. 

Finally, FSIS ensures that the infrastructure is in place to meet current and 

future challenges by: 

• empowering employees with the training, resources, and tools to enable 

success in protecting public health; and 

• developing, maintaining, and using innovative methodologies, 

processes, and tools to protect public health efficiently and effectively. 

One Team, One Purpose 3 
 

The Threat of Foodborne Illness 

Foodborne illness is a serious public health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that foodborne 

bacteria sicken about 48 million Americans (1 in 6) every year. In 

addition, foodborne illnesses hospitalize approximately 128,000 people 

and cause about 3,000 deaths annually. The USDA Economic Research 

Service estimates that foodborne illness costs consumers about 

$6.9 billion annually. 

FSIS coordinates with food safety partners at the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA), which regulates other food products sold in 

commerce such as leafy greens, bakery goods, and beverages, and at the 

CDC, which investigates and identifies causes of foodborne illnesses. 

4 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Foodborne illness 

is a serious public 

health issue. 

Number of Illnesses Caused by Four Foodborne 

Pathogens for All Products in Commerce 

Most Common Foods Attributable** 

Campylobacter 

Dairy 

Leafy greens 

Poultry 

Mollusk 

Root 

Vegetables 

Annual Illnesses* 845,024 

Annual Hospitalizations* 8,463 

Annual Deaths* 78 

Escherichia coli 

Fruits and nuts 

eef 

eafy greens 

rustaceans 

ine stalk 

egetables 

B

L

C

V

v

175,905 

2,409 

20 

Listeria monocytogenes 

68%

8%

8% 2%

16%

Poultry‡

Dairy

Pork

Sprouts

Beef

1,591 

1,455 

255 

Salmonella 

8%

9%

6% 6%

65%

41%

28%

17%

6%

4%

Vine stalk 

vegetables 

Poultry 

Eggs 

Fruits and nuts 

Beef 

1,027,561 

19,336 

378 

21%

19%

15%

13%

7%

Source: *Scallan E, Hoekstra RM, Angulo FJ, Tauxe RV, Widdowson M-A, Roy SL, et al. Foodborne illness acquired in the United States—major pathogens. 

Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Jan [July 2, 2013]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1701.P11101 
 

**Painter JA, Hoekstra RM, Ayers T, Tauxe RV, Braden CR, Angulo FJ, et al. Attribution of foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths to food commodities by using 

outbreak data, United States, 1998–2008. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2013 Mar [July 11, 2013]. 

‡Listeria illnesses are associated with three outbreaks from 1998 through 2002 from turkey delicatessen meat, which was contaminated in the processing plant after cooking. 

One Team, One Purpose 5 
 

Tackling the Threat of Foodborne Illness 

FSIS continues to improve its response to tackling four foodborne FSIS collects samples at establishments to verify that the products being pathogens—Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and produced are safe and wholesome. 

Campylobacter—that most frequently affect our regulated products. 

6 One Team, One Purpose 
 

In this work, we 

are one team with 

one purpose. 

However, the agency’s mission begins much earlier in the process. FSIS 

ensures safety through a series of policies and regulations that define 

how establishments can operate to produce a safe and wholesome 

product. Through these efforts, FSIS has mandated that establishments 

have a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. This 

process requires establishments to think about all of the hazards along 

the slaughter and production process to control and reduce risks and to 

ensure a safe product for consumers. FSIS verifies that these plans are in 

place and working effectively. 

And pathogens are only one piece to the food safety puzzle. FSIS also 

works to reduce the harm associated with: 

• allergens (such as egg, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish); 

• mislabeled product; 

• illegal chemical residues; and 

• foreign material entering food during production. 

FSIS deploys almost 8,000 inspection program personnel to the more than 

6,000 establishments around the country to ensure that HACCP plans, 

policies, and regulations are being followed, and that they are working 

as intended in the production of safe, wholesome meat, poultry, and 

processed egg products. 

One Team, One Purpose 7 
 

Careers with the Food Safety and 

Inspection Service 

FSIS employs a host of skilled professionals from inspectors to scientists to mathematicians, who form a dynamic workforce. This team combines 

the knowledge and expertise of its members to help the agency meet 

our mission of providing consumers a safe supply of meat, poultry, and 

processed egg products. 

Data analysts use information 

collected by the agency to provide 

analytical and statistical support 

to the food safety mission. 

Scientists protect the public by using 

microbiology, pathology, and chemical 

analyses of meat, poultry, and processed 

egg products. 

Equal employment specialists 

help managers administer the 

agency’s Equal Employment 

Opportunity program. 

Food inspectors and consumer 

safety inspectors comprise the 

largest category of employees in the 

agency and protect public health 

through inspection, verification, and 

sample collection. 

Veterinarians help oversee the effectiveness of 

farm-to-table food safety systems, applying expertise 

in epidemiology, pathology, risk management, and 

humane slaughter. FSIS is the largest employer of 

veterinarians in the United States. 

Risk managers develop 

solutions to emerging 

issues in food safety 

and inspection. 

Policy writers ensure agency regulations 

are clear, enforceable, and consistent with 

program objectives, statutory requirements, and 

departmental policies. 

8 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Information management and computer specialists 

analyze information needs of the organization while 

working with managers to improve data systems and 

applications used to collect information supporting the 

agency’s mission. 

Human resources specialists 

assist with hiring and training 

employees, administering 

benefits, analyzing positions, 

and resolving grievances. 

Purchasing and contract 

specialists meet the agency’s 

needs for acquiring goods 

and services. 

Technical and clerical personnel 

in each of our offices across the 

country process information and 

ensure office operations run smoothly. 

Financial managers and analysts 

help administer the multi-milliondollar annual budget of the agency. 

Public affairs and legislative specialists 

handle communication with the media, 

Congress, the public, and other stakeholders. 

Evaluators and investigators respond to consumer 

and industry complaints and concerns to help ensure 

that the agency’s programs are generating the results 

they were designed to produce. 

Food safety health educators 

design and administer education 

programs for the public to combat 

foodborne illnesses. 

U.S. Public Health Service 

Commissioned Corps is one of seven 

uniformed services that employ officers 

in many Federal agencies to protect, 

promote, and advance the health and 

safety of the Nation. 

One Team, One Purpose 9 
 

Where We Work
 

Alaska 

Puerto Rico 

US Virgin Islands 

American Samoa 

North Mariana Islands 

Guam 

Hawaii 

10 One Team, One Purpose 
 

 

The work performed by FSIS employees touches every community in the United States and its territories. The map shows the location 

of regulated facilities (white circles) and import warehouses (grey circles). 

Field personnel inspect domestic products at regulated facilities and 

imported product at key locations before distribution throughout the 

country or territories. FSIS personnel work tirelessly to ensure that 

the meat, poultry, and processed egg products in commerce are safe 

and wholesome. 

The agency: 

• employs more than 9,600 people; 

• coordinates inspection and enforcement activities in more than 6,000 

federally inspected establishments nationwide; 

• inspects the more than 3 billion pounds of imported meat, poultry, and 

processed egg products every year; and 

• performs approximately 190,000 scientific analyses every year. 

Districts Map Key 

H Alameda, CA
	

Atlanta, GA
	

Chicago, IL
	

Dallas, TX
	

Denver, CO
	

Des Moines, IA
	

Jackson, MS
	

Philadelphia, PA
	

Raleigh, NC
	

Springdale, AR
	

OCFO District Office 

H Other Offices 

H OIEA Regional Office H OPHS Laboratory

• Import Warehouses 

• FSIS Regulated Facilities 

Philadelphia District Office 

Philadelphia Regional Office 

Philadelphia, PA 

One Team, One Purpose 11 
 

Partnerships 

FSIS routinely collaborates with other Federal agencies, States, tribal authorities, stakeholders, and the public to ensure the safety of meat, 

poultry, and processed egg products along the farm-to-table continuum. 

• This collaboration is exemplified by FSIS, CDC, and FDA as well as 

State, local, and tribal authorities working in concert to investigate 

outbreaks, identify the source of illness, and promptly remove unsafe 

food from store shelves. 

• FSIS coordinates with these Federal, State, and tribal partners to 

develop and disseminate food safety messages to serve public health 

and advance the food safety dialogue. 

• FSIS collaborates with FDA, CDC, Environmental Protection Agency, 

Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, 

Department of State, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 

on interagency food safety and food defense. Through this work, the 

agency has been able to prioritize prevention, strengthen surveillance 

and enforcement systems, and improve response and recovery. 

• To ensure that FSIS policies and regulations are robust and effective, 

the agency seeks input from stakeholders on draft documents at public 

meetings and through the public comment process to make certain that 

all voices are considered. 

FDA FSIS 

CDC
 

12 One Team, One Purpose 
One Team, One Purpose 13 

The public health community is more powerful when it speaks with a 

single voice and shares resources in service of a common mission. 

Our partnerships make us stronger. 
 

 

Office of Field Operations 

Field Operations is the frontline in inspecting meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Employees coordinate inspection 

and enforcement activities in more than 6,000 federally inspected 

establishments nationwide, as well as at import establishments, 

ensuring that the products that FSIS regulates are safe, wholesome, 

and properly labeled. 

This office also is responsible for ensuring that the regulated product 

that is imported into the United States meets our standards, and that the 

regulated product that is exported to other nations meets the standards 

that they have set forth. 

14 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Through the work of 

Field Operations, FSIS 

has a footprint in every 

community and touches 

dinner tables from coast 

to coast. 

Inspection personnel, the largest employee group in Field Operations, 

form the core of the agency. FSIS currently employs about 8,000 

individuals nationwide who perform inspection activities at plants and 

import establishments. In addition, they perform in-depth evaluations and 

assessments as needed. Many inspectors are veterinarians. Their job 

begins the moment an animal arrives at a regulated facility and continues 

throughout slaughter and processing. For processed egg products, 

inspectors are present during the entire egg breaking and pasteurization 

process. Field Operations personnel also gather data to inform our 

understanding of the risks in the food safety system and implement 

the science that the agency develops, to keep the public safe. If FSIS 

inspection personnel can find that the product is safe and wholesome, 

they apply the mark of inspection. 

Field Staff 

FSIS has 10 district offices throughout the United States. These offices 

provide support for the inspectors in the plants and import establishments, 

including the highly trained individuals that conduct in-depth food safety 

assessments to ensure that preventive controls by establishments are 

adequately designed and executed. 

Import Inspection Management Staff 

All imported products are inspected. The team at our import 

establishments inspect product to ensure it comes from an approved 

source and is made available for pathogen and residue sampling as well 

as a physical examination. If the product fails inspection, it is refused entry 

and must be removed from the country or destroyed. 

Recall Management and Technical Analysis Staff 

This group leads and coordinates all FSIS recall activities and provides 

technical support for the agency’s public health mission. 

Resource Management and Financial Planning Staff 

To make sure the right personnel and resources are in the field, this 

staff provides leadership in the allocation and distribution of human and 

financial resources. 

Strategic Planning and Operations Management Staff 

This group develops, coordinates, and implements a comprehensive 

Operational Plan to ensure that the field work aligns with the 

agency’s strategic plan and that management controls are effective in 

accomplishing the mission of FSIS. 

One Team, One Purpose 15 
 

Office of Public Health Science 

Public Health Science applies its scientific knowledge and expertise to provide in-depth analyses and advice on all matters of science 

and public health. In addition, Public Health Science collaborates with 

Federal, State, local public health, tribal authorities, and agricultural and 

animal health officials to investigate foodborne outbreaks and prevent 

foodborne disease. Public Health Science provides the public 

health and scientific basis for the development of food safety policies, 

emergency response, outreach efforts, data collection initiatives, and 

research priorities. 

16 One Team, One Purpose 
 

 

Public Health Science manages a variety of scientific programs to identify, 

manage, and, when possible, prevent exposure to foodborne pathogens 

and chemical residues in meat, poultry, and processed egg products, such 

as nationwide sampling programs, risk assessments, foreign equivalency 

reviews, and outbreak investigations. 

Public Health Science operates in three scientific and one management 

area and maintains three field laboratories and the Food Emergency 

Response Network 

Science Staff 

FSIS employs scientists who are experts in microbiology, chemistry, and 

toxicology to evaluate existing and emerging hazards in meat, poultry, 

and processed egg products. They assist in investigating national and 

international outbreaks, monitor current and emerging foodborne 

threats, and advise leadership on matters of science to improve policies 

and programs. 

Risk Assessment and Analytics Staff 

The agency also benefits from an interdisciplinary scientific team of 

analysts who develop and use various mathematical models to evaluate 

effectiveness of intervention strategies to improve public health. 

Applied Epidemiology Staff 

In collaboration with Federal, State, local, and territorial public health 

partners, this group of epidemiologists and public health professionals 

conducts surveillance by monitoring foodborne incidents, initiating 

foodborne illness investigations, and responding to consumer complaints. 

Regulatory Field Services Laboratories 

Public Health Science maintains three laboratory sites— Alameda, CA, 

St. Louis, MO, and Athens, GA—that analyze regulated products along 

with environmental samples from regulated establishments for both 

microbial hazards (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria 

monocytogenes) and chemical hazards (e.g., veterinary drug residues, 

pesticides, and environmental contaminants). 

Resource Management and Program Staff 

This group provides the office with administrative, budgetary, travel, 

staffing, performance management, and strategic support. 

One Team, One Purpose 17 
 

Office of Policy and Program Development
 

Policy and Program Development develops regulations as well as field that further promote the safety of meat, poultry, and processed egg instructions for inspectors to implement these regulations to prevent products. This process leads to constant improvements as our inspection 

foodborne illness and protect public health. They leverage science, use evolves through time. 

statutes, and interpret data to develop policies and instructions to the 

18 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Policy and Program 

Development continues to 

modernize the agency’s 

approach to counter emerging 

risks to meat, poultry, and 

processed egg products. 

A critical part of the FSIS mission, Policy and Program Development 

is comprised of eight groups who take a comprehensive look at food 

safety issues to lay out the fundamental principles that guide the 

agency’s decisions. 

Import Export Coordination and Policy Development Staff 

Through coordination with other FSIS staff and U.S. agencies, this staff 

maintains the FSIS Export Library and develops policies regarding the 

export and import of regulated products. 

International Equivalence Staff 

In close coordination with International Relations and Strategic Planning 

Staff, this group makes recommendations concerning U.S. food safety 

standards in regulated products imported into the United States. 

International Relations and Strategic Planning Staff 

This group coordinates and develops U.S. food safety strategy with other 

USDA agencies, Federal agencies, and industry and non-governmental 

organizations to harmonize food safety efforts related to FSIS policies. 

Issuances Staff 

This staff provides leadership for the analysis and development of agency 

regulations, notices, and directives and manages the petition process. 

Labeling and Program Delivery Staff 

This staff evaluates labels submitted to the agency for prior approval 

and develops policies and inspection methods focused on the labeling 

of meat, poultry, processed egg products, and their ingredients to 

protect consumers from misbranded and economically adulterated 

regulated products. 

Policy Analysis Staff 

By developing and conducting economic analyses of agency regulations 

and assessing the effectiveness of existing policies, this group identifies 

regulatory alternatives as well as economic and social outcomes to 

maintain effective agency policy. 

Policy Development Staff 

This group identifies policy needs in the field and subsequently develops 

policy solutions to address the intent and application of verification and 

enforcement policy in in-plant activity. 

Risk, Innovations and Management Staff 

This group ensures that policy initiatives have a strong scientific basis by 

using risk analysis principles and that resource allocations are aligned with 

the agency’s food safety mission. 

One Team, One Purpose 19 
 

Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit 

FSIS has many policies and regulations designed to make sure to foodborne illness outbreaks and natural disaster or intentional food is safe, but they are only effective when they are followed contamination events. In addition, this group enforces international 

and implemented correctly. Investigation, Enforcement and Audit and State equivalency and manages criminal, administrative, and civil 

ensures the safety of regulated products through surveillance, sanctions as specified by Federal laws and regulations. 

investigations, and enforcement activities, as well as responds 

20 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Investigation, Enforcement and 

Audit is the eyes and ears of the 

agency, enforcing the policies to 

keep food safe for the consumer. 

Investigation, Enforcement and Audit strives to prevent outbreaks and 

foodborne illness by working collaboratively to ensure the safety of 

regulated products. This staff is organized into four groups. 

Compliance and Investigations Division 

Investigating to ensure food safety, food defense, and other consumer 

protection requirements is paramount to the success of the agency’s 

mission. The staff is responsible for controlling unsafe products. The group 

also develops cases to ensure that appropriate criminal, administrative, 

and civil sanctions are carried out according to agency laws, regulations, 

and directives. 

Enforcement and Litigation Division 

By executing FSIS-wide criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement 

programs, this group enforces the statutes and imposes sanctions 

according to agency laws and policies. It also conducts litigation to 

uphold FSIS-wide personnel, employment, and labor-management 

decisions and actions. 

Management Control and Audit Division 

This group conducts independent audits of foreign, Federal, and State 

inspection programs to ensure programs are managed in compliance with 

Federal laws and regulations. The staff helps FSIS to reduce wasteful 

practices, fraud, or mismanagement. 

Resource Management Staff 

This staff manages administrative, budgetary, travel, staffing, performance 

management, and strategic support. 

One Team, One Purpose 21 
 

 

Office of Data Integration and Food Protection 

Working closely with other offices in FSIS and other departments within the Federal government, Data Integration and Food Protection 

implements procedures to prepare for, respond to, and recover from 

any contamination, food emergency, or natural disaster that affects meat, 

poultry, and processed egg products. The office analyzes datasets to 

identify trends and develop solutions—all in service of food safety and 

food defense. 

22 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Office of Data Integration and Food Protection 

Data Integration and Food Protection ensures that FSIS has proper emergency management policies, food defense directives, and 

consistent and high-quality data analyses. This office is made up of three 

groups who work together to accomplish their mission. 

Food Defense Assessment Staff 

This staff provides the scientific and technical basis to support 

preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives for all threats affecting 

the food supply. 

Emergency Coordination Staff 

This is the central office for coordinating homeland security and 

emergency response activities to protect public health. 

Data Analysis and Integration Staff 

This staff integrates all of the agency’s data analyses and activities across 

all program areas to inform public health decisions. 

One Team, One Purpose 23 
 

Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education 

Public Affairs and Consumer Education ensures that all external and internal stakeholders are receiving timely, accurate, and relevant 

information about the work that FSIS is doing to protect public health, as 

well as educates consumers on how to safely handle and prepare foods. 

24 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Congressional and Public Affairs Staff 

This group is responsible for conveying all of the agency’s food safety 

initiatives, events, and recalls to Congress, the media, industry, consumer 

advocacy groups, consumers, and to the internal workforce through 

multiple channels, including traditional and social media. 

Food Safety Education Staff 

In an effort to distribute the latest science, this staff designs food-safety 

education products and services for all age groups, especially at-risk 

groups. Their food safety experts operate the USDA Meat and Poultry 

Hotline and Ask Karen, which provides real-time safe food-handling 

information to consumers by telephone, chat, and Website. 

Executive Correspondence and Issues Management Staff 

Everyday, FSIS receives a multitude of requests from stakeholders, nongovernmental organizations, and the public. This staff provides written and 

informational support services to agency and departmental executives. 

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Staff 

This group is responsible for administering the Freedom of Information 

Act and Privacy Act compliance requests that are submitted to FSIS, 

ensuring that our work as a Federal Government is transparent to the 

public and our stakeholders. 

Web and Digital Communications Staff 

Most people interact with FSIS through our outward facing Website. This 

group designs and implements strategies to convey the agency’s public 

health information through the FSIS Website, the internal employee site, 

and other mobile and social media channels. 

One Team, One Purpose 25 
 

Outreach, Employee Education 

and Training is committed to 

excellence through communications 

and partnerships with employees, 

colleagues, and small plant operators. 

Office of Outreach, 

Employee Education 

and Training 

Because the agency believes in continual learning, it sets a premium on training and 

growth of its employees. Outreach, Employee 

Education and Training designs and directs 

outreach, education, and training programs 

for the staff. This office also has a special 

charge to help small and very small plants 

interpret our rules and regulations to enhance 

their food safety systems. 

26 One Team, One Purpose 
 

Together, these key programs are designed to fulfill FSIS employees’ 

Together, these key programs are designed to fulfill FSIS employees’ 

needs in the areas of: 

• Benefits and Pay • Facilities, Fleet and Property Services 

• Recruitment and Staff Acquisition • Travel and Commuting 

• Performance Management • Work and Home Life Balance 

• Employee Relations • Employee Health and Safety 

• Labor Relations • Physical Security 

• Procurement • Greening Initiative 

One Team, One Purpose 27 

Office of Management 

Employees are the agency’s number one asset. The Office of Management provides a range of administrative and support services to 

FSIS through the Office of Human Resources, the Employee Safety, Health 

and Wellness Staff, and the Office of Administrative Services. The Office of 

Management seeks to provide the resources, systems, and processes for 

FSIS to carry out its food safety mission. The Office of Management leads 

the agency’s Greening Initiative, ensuring that the agency is meeting all of 

the goals in the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, while raising 

awareness and providing a means for all FSIS employees to engage 

in sustainable activities. 
 

Office of the Administrator
 

28 One Team, One Purpose 

The Civil Rights Staff within the Office of the Administrator provides 

advice, guidance, and assistance on the implementation, management, 

and compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity programs. Such 

programs include Affirmative Employment, Complaints Management, 

Special Emphasis Program, Equal Employment Opportunity Training, 

and Workforce Diversity. The staff’s goal is to ensure fair and equal 

treatment to internal and external customers. A diverse, skilled workforce 

brings different vantage points and opinions, resulting in new or novel 

approaches to food safety concerns. 

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for maximizing 

food safety with each dollar of taxpayer resources through continuous 

improvement in strategic planning, cost analysis, internal controls, 

financial services, budget formulation and execution, and 

performance evaluation. 

The Office of the Chief Information Officer is responsible for FSIS 

information technology management, infrastructure, telecommunications, 

security, applications, data, investments, and innovation—both in 

headquarters and in the field—to achieve a more agile, adaptable, 

and high-performing organization. This office ensures that innovative 

methodologies, processes, and tools are available to the FSIS 

workforce to support our mission to keep our regulated products safe 

and wholesome. 

The U.S. Codex Office, although housed specifically under FSIS, 

represents the U.S. Government at the Codex Alimentarius Commission, 

an intergovernmental body that sets voluntary international food 

standards. The U.S. Codex Office manages the activities of an interagency partnership that engages both government and non-government 

stakeholders in the development and adoption of science-based food 

standards and advocates U.S. interests in protecting the health of 

consumers by ensuring fair practices in the food trade before the Codex 

Alimentarius Commission. 

The Internal Control Staff investigates personnel misconduct and 

conducts a range of selected administrative investigations to protect 

against waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. This staff also 

conducts independent and objective audits, investigations, and critical 

analyses of FSIS programs to help FSIS achieve its public health 

objectives and ensure that programs are managed with integrity and in 

compliance with Federal laws. 
’

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, 

employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital 

status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is 

derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment 

or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited 

bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
	

To File an Employment Complaint
	

If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency’s EEO Counselor 

(PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a 

personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/
	

complaint_filing_file.html.
	

To File a Program Complaint
	

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA 

Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/
	

complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. 

You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your 

completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, 

Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by 

fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
	

Persons with Disabilities
	

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file 

either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service 

at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
	

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information 

above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means 

of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 

contact USDAs TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

January 2014