Annual Plan

Fiscal Year 2022

Food Safety and Inspection Service
Message From the Administrator .......................................................................................................ii

Acronyms..............................................................................................................................................iii

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................iv

Performance Management and Governance ....................................................................................1

Goal 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health ............................................................2

 Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022 ...........................................2

 Partnerships and Collaborations..............................................................................................3

Goal 2: Transform Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches....................5

 Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022............................................5

 Partnerships and Collaborations..............................................................................................6

Goal 3: Achieve Operational Excellence................................................................................................8

 Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022............................................8

Contents

i
I am pleased to introduce the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s 

(FSIS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Annual Plan. As the public health 

agency of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, FSIS is responsible 

for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products. We take 

that responsibility seriously, and our employees work hard every 

day to ensure everyone’s food is safe. We are looking forward to 

continuing to work toward our goals of preventing foodborne 

illness and protecting public health; transforming inspection 

systems, policies, and scientific approaches; and achieving 

operational excellence.

As the country continues to recover and move forward from the 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our ongoing highest priority 

is assuring the safety of our employees. FSIS personnel have 

selflessly worked on the front lines throughout the pandemic, and 

we will make every effort to ensure they all continue to have the 

resources needed to do their job safely.

At FSIS, we strive to make sure data and science are at the forefront 

of every project we implement, every policy we develop, and every decision we make. This approach ensures that inspection 

continues to be based on the most recent and accurate data, science, and technology we have available to protect public health. 

While our efforts in FY 2022 will focus on continuing the important work we have been doing to keep America’s food safe, we also 

have many new and exciting initiatives on the horizon. 

We will continue to work toward preventing foodborne illness and protecting public health by increasing public awareness of 

recalls, foodborne illness, and policies. We will also emphasize the importance of safe food handling practices through a broad 

range of communication channels, including social media, so consumers can make informed decisions for safe handling, cooking, 

and storing of food.

As we continue our efforts to innovate inspection strategies, policies, and scientific approaches, we will use data to improve how 

we prioritize and assign inspection tasks and will update our regulations to eliminate unnecessary requirements. We will also 

update guidance for industry, so they continue to have the best available information to effectively meet or exceed all regulations. 

We will continue to work toward achieving operational excellence by focusing on attracting, developing, and retaining a highly 

qualified and diverse workforce. Upgrading technology and infrastructure at our laboratories will be a high priority, in addition to 

improving efficiency across key administrative functions.

At FSIS, our employees are dedicated to ensuring meat, poultry, and egg products are safe for everyone. We look forward to the 

year ahead and implementing the activities outlined in this plan to protect public health.

Sincerely, 

Paul Kiecker

Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service

ii

Message From 

the Administrator
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution

ANPR Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

AP Annual Plan

ARS Agricultural Research Service

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

eCert Electronic Certification

EG Enterprise Governance

EPIA Egg Products Inspection Act

EVM Earned Value Management

FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

FMIA Federal Meat Inspection Act

FoodNet Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service

FY Fiscal Year

HMSA Humane Methods of Slaughter Act

IAFP International Association for Food Protection

Lm Listeria monocytogenes

LMA Labor Management Agreement

NACMCF National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods

NACMPI National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

NARMS National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria

PHIS Public Health Information System

PHV Public Health Veterinarian

PPIA Poultry Products Inspection Act

SP Strategic Plan

STEC Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli

ULP Unfair Labor Practices

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

Acronyms

iii
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the food safety regulatory agency within the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and egg products are 

safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. Consistent with its role as USDA’s public health regulatory agency, 

FSIS’ mission is to protect public health by advancing a culture of food safety. FSIS ensures food safety through 

the authorities of the Federal Meat Inspection Act,1 the Poultry Products Inspection Act,2 and the Egg Products 

Inspection Act,3 as well as humane animal handling through the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.4 

FSIS employs approximately 9,000 workers who collectively conduct a broad range of food safety activities 

to achieve FSIS’ overall vision—that everyone’s food is safe. The Agency’s employees comprise a frontline 

workforce assigned duties at federally regulated establishments, FSIS laboratories, and in-commerce facilities 

nationwide as well as technical, administrative, and support staff.

The strategic goals, outcomes, and objectives set forth in this plan provide an integrated framework for 

understanding how FSIS is fulfilling the Agency’s mission and addressing 21st century public health challenges.

FSIS Vision

Everyone’s food is safe.

FSIS Mission

Protecting the public’s health by ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.

FSIS’ goals and associated outcomes and objectives—underpinned by its Core Values: Accountable, 

Collaborative, Empowered, and Solutions-Oriented—are designed to move FSIS closer to accomplishing its 

mission and realizing the Agency’s vision.

1Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA, P.L. 90-492).

2Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA, P.L. 90-492).

3Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA, P.L. 91-597).

4Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA, P.L. 85-765).

Introduction

iv
Goal Outcome Objective

Goal 1:

Prevent 

Foodborne 

Illness and 

Protect 

Public Health

1.1: Prevent Contamination 

1.2: Limit Illness From 

Regulated Products

1.1.1: Drive Compliance With Food Safety Statutes and Regulations

1.1.2: Strengthen Sampling Programs

1.1.3: Ensure Establishments Are Meeting Pathogen Reduction Performance 

Standards

1.1.4: Promote Food Defense Practices

1.2.1: Improve Food Safety at In-Commerce Facilities

1.2.2: Enhance Response to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and Adulteration Events

1.2.3: Increase Public Awareness of Recalls, Foodborne Illness, and Safe Food 

Handling Practices

Goal 2:

Transform 

Inspection 

Systems, 

Policies, and 

the Use of 

Scientific 

Approaches 

2.1: Improve Food Safety 

and Humane Handling 

Practices Through Adoption 

of Innovative Approaches

2.2: Enhance Access to 

Complete and Accurate 

Information to Inform 

Decisions

2.1.1: Transform Scientific Techniques and Inspection Procedures 

2.1.2: Increase Adoption of Humane Handling Best Practices

2.2.1: Improve the Reliability, Access, and Timely Collection and Distribution of 

Information

Goal 3:

Achieve 

Operational 

Excellence

3.1: Maintain a Well-Trained 

and Engaged Workforce 

3.2: Improve Processes and 

Services

3.1.1: Improve Recruitment and Retention for Mission-Critical Positions 

3.1.2: Enhance Training and Development Opportunities Across Competency 

Areas

3.1.3: Ensure Equal Opportunity and a Diverse and Inclusive Environment 

3.2.1: Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness of Key Business Processes and 

Systems

3.2.2: Improve Service Delivery

v
FSIS’ FY 2022 Annual Plan (AP) highlights activities the Agency intends to conduct in FY 2022. FSIS will continue 

to align its annual executive and employee performance plans to strategic and annual plan activities to ensure 

accountability.

FSIS will implement this FY 2022 AP by using its performance management framework, which includes 

monitoring and reporting processes underpinned by the Agency’s enterprise governance (EG) process. FSIS 

fosters a performance-based environment with executives and senior staff who regularly track and monitor 

progress, ensuring the Agency meets intended targets and makes timely and necessary adjustments to key 

activities or approaches. FSIS uses its EG process to present public health, inspection, and other missionrelated topics to executive leadership—particularly those topics that cut across programs and/or have 

Agency-wide implications—for the purpose of collaborative decision making and implementation. All new 

investments, major projects, proposed policy initiatives, and major changes to existing policies go through the 

Agency’s EG process.

Within that process, three governance boards, along with their associated work groups and committees, 

provide key analysis, evaluation, and recommendations regarding program enhancements and priorities to 

support data-driven decision making. Through this process, the Agency continues to be in compliance with 

the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 and the Office of Management and Budget’s 

Circular A-123, Management’s Responsibility for Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control, leading 

to enhanced evaluation and enterprise risk management capabilities to better inform decisions regarding 

Agency performance and risks that may impact the mission. Linking strategic initiatives, metrics, and 

desired outcomes to data and leveraging up-to-date analytics will foster a more productive, results-driven 

environment.

Performance Management 

and Governance

1
FSIS’ first strategic goal, “Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health,” and its associated outcomes and objectives 

emphasize the Agency’s commitment to its public health regulatory role. This public health goal underlies FSIS actions as the 

Agency verifies that safe and wholesome meat, poultry, and egg products reach consumers. In pursuit of its overall mission and 

this goal, the Agency strives to reduce the number of preventable foodborne illnesses from FSIS-regulated products. 

The specific actions, measures, and targets detailed in this AP focus on the components of the complex food production system 

and supply chain—that spans from farm to fork—where FSIS can exercise control. These actions were chosen and designed to 

lead to the ultimate goal of reducing foodborne illness. Thousands of FSIS inspectors across the United States work every day to 

achieve this strategic goal and to improve public health by performing tasks to verify that domestically produced and imported 

products comply with applicable food safety regulatory requirements. To enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, the Agency 

will ensure that its inspection activities are informed by current science and modern data analysis. During FY 2022, in addition to 

tracking the inspection activities outlined in this plan, FSIS will ensure it communicates effectively with its domestic and foreign 

food safety partners and maintains and advances the progress it has made in food defense. FSIS will continue to increase public 

awareness of recalls, foodborne illness, policies, and safe food-handling practices through a broad range of communication 

channels in English and Spanish to empower consumers, including vulnerable populations, to make safe decisions about 

handling, cooking, and storing their food. Together, these measures will help move FSIS towards its goal of preventing illness and 

protecting public health.

Goal 1 SP and AP Performance Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments 

and Activities

1.1.1 Drive 

Compliance With 

Food Safety Statutes 

and Regulations

(SP) 1.1.1.1 Number of 

inquiries in askFSIS on 

labeling requirements

2,800

(Desired Trend: Down)

FSIS will increase its outreach specific to 

the topic of generic labeling to decrease the 

number of generic label inquiries/questions 

submitted through askFSIS.

(AP) 1-1 Number of annual 

engagements related to 

imports and exports that 

are completed

40

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will conduct international outreach 

activities to help increase confidence in 

FSIS’ inspection system, advance food safety 

globally, and improve knowledge of new 

regulations.

(AP) 1-2 Percentage 

of outreach materials 

developed that address 

Listeria monocytogenes 

(Lm) deli best practices 

and grinding record 

requirements

100%

(Desired Trend: Up)

In coordination with industry associations 

and government partners, FSIS will develop 

targeted materials for addressing Lm

deli best practices and grinding record 

requirements for a variety of retail audiences 

and develop a distribution plan.

Goal 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and 

Protect Public Health

2
3

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments 

and Activities

1.1.2 Strengthen 

Sampling Programs

(SP) 1.1.2.1 Reduction in 

the proportion of poultry 

samples with Salmonella 

serotypes commonly 

associated with human 

illness

2% reduction from 

baseline

(Desired Trend: Up - 

the goal is for percent 

reduction to increase 

over time.)

FSIS will measure the percentage of 

reduction in raw poultry samples with 

Salmonella serotypes commonly associated 

with human illness collected from products 

subject to a performance standard (i.e., from 

chicken parts, chicken and turkey carcasses, 

and comminuted chicken and turkey).

1.1.3 Ensure 

Establishments 

Are Meeting 

Pathogen Reduction 

Performance 

Standards

(SP) 1.1.3.1 Percentage of 

eligible establishments 

subject to an applicable 

performance standard that 

are categorized

86.5%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will increase the percentage of 

eligible establishment-product-pathogen 

combinations categorized in order to assess 

their performance standard.

1.2.2 Enhance 

Response to 

Foodborne Illness 

Outbreaks and 

Adulteration Events

(AP) 1-3 Percentage of 

public health partners in 

which FSIS is described 

in the partners’ written 

procedures for responding 

to foodborne illness 

outbreaks

70%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will encourage partner jurisdictions 

(Federal, State, local, and Tribal public 

health partners) to include collaborating 

with FSIS in their written procedures for 

responding to foodborne illness outbreaks.

1.2.3 Increase 

Public Awareness of 

Recalls, Foodborne 

Illness, and Safe 

Food Handling 

Practices

(SP) 1.2.3.1 Percentage 

of proactive media 

placements about safe food 

handling, foodborne illness, 

recalls, or FSIS policy 

related information

13% increase from 

baseline

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will increase public awareness of safe 

food handling concepts by working with 

English and Spanish language media outlets 

on stories that emphasize the importance of 

the four steps to food safety: clean, separate, 

cook, and chill.

(AP) 1-4 Number of 

partnerships formed 

to develop or deliver 

educational content

2

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will establish two new partnerships 

with the purpose of developing educational 

content on safe food handling.

Goal 1 Partnerships and Collaborations

FSIS will focus on several partnerships and collaborations related to Goal 1 throughout FY 2022, five of which are highlighted in 

this AP. 

Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) 

Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) conducts surveillance for Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, 

Cyclospora, Listeria, Salmonella, STEC O157 and non-O157, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia infections diagnosed by laboratory testing 

samples from patients. The network was established in July 1996 and is a collaborative program among the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), 10 State health departments (Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, 

Tennessee, and selected counties in California, Colorado, and New York), FSIS, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

FoodNet accomplishes its work through active surveillance; surveys of laboratories, physicians, and the general population; and 

population-based epidemiologic studies.
4

Human Food Produced Using Animal Cell Culture Technology

USDA’s Office of Food Safety and FDA entered into a formal agreement on March 7, 2019, as a first step toward addressing how 

Federal regulatory agencies will ensure the safety and accurate labeling of human food produced using animal cell culture 

technology, as well as the inspection of establishments involved in the production of these products. This agreement describes 

the roles of FSIS and FDA with respect to the regulatory oversight of these products. In late FY 2019, FSIS and FDA established 

three working groups to develop regulatory frameworks for the oversight of meat and poultry products produced using animal 

cell culture technology, specifically concerning: (1) pre-market food safety assessments by FDA; (2) inspections and the transition 

of oversight from FDA to FSIS during the cell harvest stage; and (3) labeling. FSIS has published an advance notice of proposed 

rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public comments pertaining to the labeling of meat and poultry products comprised of or containing 

cultured cells derived from animals subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act 

(PPIA). FSIS will use the comments and information submitted through this ANPR to develop proposed regulations for the labeling 

of meat and poultry products made using animal cell culture technology.

National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Program for Enteric Bacteria (NARMS)

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Program for Enteric Bacteria (NARMS) is an interagency, collaborative 

partnership with State and local public health departments, FDA, CDC, and USDA. This national public health surveillance system 

tracks changes in antimicrobial susceptibility of select foodborne enteric bacteria found in ill people (CDC), retail meats (FDA), and 

food animals (FSIS). 

The primary objectives of NARMS are to monitor trends in antimicrobial resistance among enteric bacteria from humans, 

retail meats, and animals; disseminate timely information on antimicrobial resistance to promote interventions that reduce 

resistance among foodborne bacteria; conduct research to achieve better understanding of emergence, persistence, and 

spread of antimicrobial resistance; and provide data that assist FDA in decision making involving the approval of safe and 

effective antimicrobial drugs for animals. The NARMS findings from all the agency partners are published on a periodic basis in 

a single NARMS Integrated Report. The NARMS program at USDA focuses on sampling and testing of intestinal cecal contents, 

carcasses, and meat and poultry by FSIS. The NARMS program also monitors and investigates outbreaks of recurring, emerging, 

and persistent strains of bacteria, as defined by CDC and coded in PulseNet (see below), that cause illness in humans and are 

suspected to be caused by FSIS-regulated products.

PulseNet

PulseNet is a national laboratory network, consisting of 83 laboratories in 7 U.S. regions and headquartered at CDC, that 

connects foodborne illness cases to detect outbreaks. PulseNet uses whole genome sequencing to improve food safety systems 

by identifying outbreaks as early as possible. This helps investigators to quickly find the source of an outbreak, alert the public 

sooner, and identify gaps in food safety systems that would not otherwise be recognized.

Retail Food Safety Alignment

FSIS works with its public health partners at CDC and FDA to increase outreach at retail. Representatives from CDC, FDA, and FSIS 

discuss joint areas of interest, including pathogen controls at retail operations, and technologies to enhance tracing foodborne 

outbreaks to specific food sources or practices (such as grinding records, shopper cards, smart labels, etc.). The agencies work 

together to develop joint outreach materials on key food safety issues and share these materials with industry and State and local 

health departments. This coordinated approach helps protect public health by increasing awareness and distribution of food 

safety materials at retail facilities. 
5

In FY 2022, FSIS will focus on updating Agency policies and procedures to ensure that the best available data and science informs 

Agency decisions. The Agency will issue new or revised instructions to the field as well as guidance to industry based on the latest 

scientific advancements and data. FSIS publishes guidelines to assist small and very small establishments in meeting regulatory 

requirements. In addition, compliance with FSIS regulations, as verified by FSIS inspection program personnel, ensures that meat, 

poultry, and egg products are safe, unadulterated, and accurately labeled. FSIS will continue to update its regulations to eliminate 

unnecessary requirements while advancing food safety. To improve how it allocates inspection resources in regulated facilities, 

FSIS will conduct studies to better identify resources needed to accomplish inspection tasks. FSIS will use these data to develop a 

framework that improves how the Agency prioritizes and assigns inspections tasks. 

FSIS will create internal master datasets to streamline data analysis. FSIS will improve upon evaluations of key programs and 

processes by assessing the completeness and quality of the objectives, design, sampling, methodology, and scope of evaluation 

plans. In addition, FSIS will continue ongoing evaluations of its sampling programs. Lastly, FSIS will conduct tests of data 

reliability during its administrative audits to ensure that data are sufficient, complete, and reliable for Agency decision making.

Goal 2 SP and AP Performance Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments 

and Activities

2.1.1 Transform 

Scientific 

Techniques 

and Inspection 

Procedures

(SP) 2.1.1.1 Percentage of 

proposed or final regulations on 

the Unified Regulatory Agenda 

that are published

60%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS intends to publish a significant 

proportion of its planned regulatory actions 

within the timeframes projected in the Unified 

Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory 

Actions to effectively carry out its mission.

(AP) 2-1 Number of policies or 

instructions to field personnel 

that establish new Agency 

procedures to address food 

safety hazards

3

(Desired Trend: Up)

New procedures to address food safety 

hazards are established through the 

issuance of instructions to the field (notices 

and directives) as well as Federal Register 

notices. Food safety hazards targeted may be 

biological (pathogens), chemical (residues, 

allergens), or physical (foreign materials).

(AP) 2-2 Number of new or 

updated guidance materials 

that ensure industry has the 

most current information on 

Agency policies or science

6

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS publishes guidance documents to help 

industry, especially small and very small 

plants, meet regulatory requirements. 

Guidance documents may include guidelines, 

infographics, models (e.g., hazard analysis 

critical control point models), hazards guides, 

or other documents that are intended to help 

industry comply with FSIS regulations.

(AP) 2-3 Number of action plans 

developed that identify ways to 

improve the prioritization and 

assignment of inspection tasks

1

(Desired Trend: Flat)

These actions will form the basis of developing 

a framework or tool for prioritizing and 

assigning inspection tasks to optimize 

inspection resources.

Goal 2: Transform Inspection Systems, 

Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches
6

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments 

and Activities

2.2.1 Improve 

the Reliability, 

Access, and 

Timely Collection 

and Distribution 

of Information

(SP) 2.2.1.1 Number of 

advanced scientific techniques 

identified and reviewed that 

increase capability, efficiency, 

speed, or integrity of sample 

collection and analysis

2

(Desired Trend: Flat)

Improving the capability, efficiency, speed, 

or integrity of sample collections or analysis 

optimizes Agency resources.

(AP) 2-4 Number of datasets 

made internally available for 

analysts

2

(Desired Trend: Up)

Master datasets will combine information 

from multiple data sources and tables within 

FSIS to ensure that all analysts are using the 

same core data to run analyses. Such master 

datasets facilitate consistency in analytical 

results across program areas by providing 

data in a single file (optimal for business 

analysts) along with calculated fields, when 

appropriate.

(AP) 2-5 Number of procedures 

that enhance administrative 

audits’ capacity to improve 

data reliability, accuracy, or 

completeness

6

(Desired Trend: Up)

Enhancements to FSIS’ internal audits, 

reviews, and assessments will improve 

the verification process for ensuring data 

reliability, accuracy, or completeness.

(AP) 2-6 Percentage of sampling 

programs evaluated that 

were previously identified as 

providing limited information 

for Agency decision making

50%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS plans to further evaluate and determine 

next steps for sampling programs previously 

identified as providing limited information to 

make Agency decisions.

Goal 2 Partnerships and Collaborations

FSIS highlighted below the partnerships and collaborations the Agency will be focusing on for Goal 2 throughout FY 2022.

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI)

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture 

concerning State and Federal programs with respect to meat, poultry, food safety, and other matters that fall within the scope of 

the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. NACMPI provides advice or recommendations on issues 

or policies related to the safety or efficacy of products to be marketed to American consumers. In FY 2022, FSIS plans to enhance 

its recruitment efforts to achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of the various types of entities involved in the safety 

and manufacturing of meat and poultry products. FSIS also plans to develop new charges and hold a public meeting in FY 2022.

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF)

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) provides impartial, scientific advice and peer 

reviews to Federal food safety agencies for use in the development of an integrated national food safety systems approach that 

assures the safety of domestic, imported, and exported foods. The Committee reports to the Secretary of Agriculture through the 

Under Secretary for Food Safety and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Assistant Secretary for Health. In 

FY 2022, the NACMCF will publish two reports: (1) Microbiological testing by industry of ready-to-eat food under FDA’s jurisdiction 

for pathogens (or appropriate indicator organisms): verification of prevention controls, and (2) The use of water in animal 

production, slaughter, and processing, in the Journal of Food Protection. The Committee will meet during FY 2022 to consider two 

new charges: Enhancing Salmonella control in poultry products (FSIS) and Cyclospora cayetanensis contamination (FDA).
7

FSIS Research Priorities and Research Collaborations 

FSIS maintains and publishes a list of food safety research priorities to promote research in areas of importance to the FSIS 

mission. FSIS convenes its Research Priorities Review Panel annually to identify research topics and associated study priorities 

for FSIS management approval via the EG process. To facilitate support, research priorities are communicated to the food 

safety research community via the FSIS website, scientific meetings, and university/industry outreach. These priorities are also 

communicated to the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Food Safety National Program and USDA, National Institute 

of Food and Agriculture Food Safety Program via regularly scheduled meetings. FSIS often facilitates accomplishment of 

priority research by collaborating with food safety researchers. Such collaborations may include contributing samples, data, 

microbiological isolates, and scientific expertise. FSIS will present the updated list of research priorities and studies at the Annual 

ARS-FSIS Food Safety meeting in February 2022 and at the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection 

(IAFP) in July 2022. 

International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting (IAFP)

The IAFP hosts an annual meeting that provides attendees with information on current and emerging food safety issues, the 

latest food safety-related scientific findings, and innovative solutions to new and recurring problems, as well as the opportunity 

to network with thousands of food safety professionals from around the globe. The meeting, which is attended by over 3,600 top 

industry, academic, and governmental food safety professionals, has become the leading food safety conference worldwide. FSIS 

experts present on the Agency’s contributions in the field of food safety. FSIS plans to contribute to the 2022 IAFP by participating 

in symposia, giving presentations, and presenting posters.
8

In FY 2022, FSIS will focus on attracting, developing, and retaining a high-quality, diverse workforce, as well as strengthening 

operational effectiveness and efficiency. The Agency anticipates leveraging the use of Direct Hire Authority granted by the Office 

of Personnel Management to expeditiously hire sufficient numbers of frontline inspection personnel to ensure the safety of the 

Nation’s food supply and streamline the processes to assess personnel suitability to accelerate the onboarding of new hires. 

FSIS will evaluate Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) assignments to maximize use of their talents and improve work/life balance 

while continuing to offer incentives to attract and retain PHV talent. The Agency will develop career maps for four mission-critical 

frontline occupations—food inspector, consumer safety inspector, PHV, and enforcement, investigation and analysis officer—

that comprise the vast majority of the FSIS workforce. The Agency will continue to emphasize diversity, equity, inclusion, and 

accessibility in the workforce, and require that supervisors are trained in the subject matter annually.

FSIS will use its EG decision-making process to establish enterprise-wide priorities, strengthen collaboration and transparency in 

leadership decision making, and improve responsiveness to customer needs. The Agency will make investments to upgrade the 

technology infrastructure at FSIS laboratories and continue to use a robust budgeting process. FSIS will also expand the use of 

the Agency’s Public Health Information System (PHIS) to certify products for export to foreign countries, as well as moving toward 

implementing electronic certification for both exports to and imports from additional countries.

Goal 3 SP and AP Performance Measures, Targets, and Expected Accomplishments for FY 2022

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments and Activities

3.1.1 Improve 

Recruitment and 

Retention for 

Mission-Critical 

Positions

(SP) 3.1.1.1 Percentage 

of mission-critical 

frontline inspection 

positions that are filled

95.5% 

(Desired Trend: Up)

The Agency is seeking use of direct-hire authority to 

hire frontline inspector positions on a permanent 

basis.

(AP) 3-1 Number of 

districts that have 

evaluated PHV 

assignment changes

10

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS is evaluating all existing PHV assignments, 

district by district, to ensure effective allocation 

of FSIS resources and increased retention of PHVs 

by maximizing use of their scientific expertise and 

improving work/life balance. By reviewing factors 

that are pertinent to the PHV’s job responsibilities, 

including supervision where applicable, and balancing 

the workload within a district, improvements to the job 

can be made.

3.1.2 Enhance 

Training and 

Development 

Opportunities 

Across 

Competency 

Areas 

(SP) 3.1.2.1 Percentage 

knowledge gain in key 

occupations

83.5%

(Desired Trend: Flat)

FSIS will maintain knowledge gain through training in 

key occupations.

(AP) 3-2 Number of 

completed i-Impact 

career maps

4 

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS anticipates providing career maps for personnel 

in mission-critical positions as a tool to inform them 

about possible ways to advance in their careers.

Goal 3: Achieve Operational Excellence
9

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments and Activities

3.1.3 Ensure 

Equal 

Opportunity 

and a Diverse 

and Inclusive 

Environment

(SP) 3.1.3.1 Percentage 

of Alternate Dispute 

Resolution (ADR) 

acceptance rate 

for informal Equal 

Employment 

Opportunity complaints

60%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will use best practices to market the benefits of 

its ADR program. Employees’ knowledge of the ADR 

program and its services will increase through training 

programs and dissemination of ADR brochures, 

promotional materials, and newsletter articles. The 

Agency will explore additional tools to promote ADR. 

The rate at which ADR is accepted when offered, the 

rate at which parties participate, and participants’ 

feedback regarding their involvement with the ADR 

process will be tracked by the Agency. Adjustments, 

if necessary, will be made based on analysis and 

feedback obtained.

(SP) 3.1.3.2 Percentage 

of supervisors and 

managers who complete 

Diversity and Inclusion 

training

96%

(Desired Trend: Up)

Beginning in FY 2022, supervisors and managers 

will be required to complete training to improve 

their knowledge of, and competency in, the areas of 

diversity and inclusion, increasing this knowledge in 

the workforce.

3.2.1 Enhance 

Efficiency and 

Effectiveness 

of Key Business 

Processes and 

Systems

(SP) 3.2.1.1 Number of 

calendar days in process 

time (average days) 

from tentative job offer 

to the date a selectee 

enters on duty

45 days

(Desired Trend: Down)

FSIS continues to seek ways to streamline the medical 

review process, which is currently the most timeconsuming step in the pre-employment process. FSIS 

anticipates refining the medical review process as well 

creating a medical review team to build expertise and 

engage with applicants early in the medical process, 

which will decrease the medical review timeline.

(SP) 3.2.1.2 Number of 

additional countries 

for which exports are 

processed through the 

PHIS Export module

2

(Desired Trend: Up)

By the end of FY 2022, FSIS intends to onboard an 

additional two countries from its FY 2021 baseline into 

the PHIS Export Module. That will include identifying 

countries that are ready and willing to accept export 

certificates processed in PHIS, developing the countryspecific documents, and deploying them in PHIS.

(SP) 3.2.1.3 Number 

of countries for which 

imports and the number 

of countries for which 

exports are processed 

through electronic 

certification (eCert)

1

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will process exports or imports from one 

additional country through eCert.

(AP) 3-3 Percentage 

of reviews conducted 

of Agency enterprise 

governance-approved 

projects to ensure they 

are operating within 

their authorized budget 

and on track in meeting 

project goals and 

milestones

100%

(Desired Trend: Up)

FSIS will conduct periodic reviews of its enterprise 

governance-approved projects to promote sound 

fiscal stewardship and accountability for the Agency’s 

funds. Through the governance process, the Agency 

will monitor progress to ensure that project milestones 

are met and to implement corrective actions to bring 

projects back on track, if needed. 
10

Strategic Plan 

Objective

SP/AP Performance 

Measure

FY 2022 Target Expected Accomplishments and Activities

(AP) 3-4 Percentage 

of grievances and 

Unfair Labor Practices 

complaints (ULP) 

processed in accordance 

with the Labor 

Management Agreement 

(LMA) 

95%

(Desired Trend: Flat)

Response rates for negotiated grievances in 

accordance with the LMA should continue to maintain 

a 95% on-time rate. Similarly, responses to ULPs will 

also be evaluated for on-time rates as determined by 

Federal Labor Relations Authority-requested Agency 

responses.

(AP) 3-5 Earned Value 

Management (EVM) 

score for external 

lab sampling project 

performance

1.0 

(Desired Trend: Flat)

FSIS will apply EVM to the IT project development 

of the external lab sampling module to modernize 

data collection. The EVM score provides a holistic 

view of project performance from a cost performance 

index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI) 

aspect. If the project is performing well, both the CPI 

and SPI will be 1.0 or higher. If both indices are 1.0 

or above throughout the project, the project should 

be completed on or ahead of time and at or below 

planned costs.

3.2.2 Improve 

Service Delivery

(SP) 3.2.2.1 Percentage 

of FSIS employee 

satisfaction with the 

training services FSIS 

offers throughout the 

Agency

Develop baseline

(Desired Trend: N/A)

FSIS will establish a baseline training satisfaction score 

in FY 2022.
Connect with FSIS

/company/USDA-FSIS /USDAFoodSafety

@USDAFoodSafety /USDA @usdagov

11
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 

Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited 

from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual 

orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political 

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases 

apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative 

means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should 

contact the responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the 

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination 

Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling 

(866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone 

number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for 

Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be 

submitted to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

 the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov

 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.

 20250-9410; or

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. January 2022

FSIS Core Values

Accountable

FSIS holds itself accountable in fulfilling its regulatory mission and in 

serving the public interest.

Collaborative

FSIS actively promotes and encourages collaboration within our Agency 

and with our partners to prevent illness and protect public health.

Empowered

FSIS employees are empowered with the necessary training, tools, and 

approaches they need to make and carry out informed decisions that 

protect public health and promote food safety.

Solutions-Oriented

FSIS is committed to deploying effective, evidence-based solutions to 

ensure that the Nation’s food supply is safe.