Every lot of product is given a visual inspection for appearance and condition, and checked for certification and label compliance. Egg products are reinspected at the facility where they are taken for further processing. About 75 FSIS inspectors carry out reinspection at approximately 150 official import establishments. Shipments that pass reinspection are allowed to enter U.S. commerce and are treated as domestic product. Shipments from all countries except Canada are stamped with the official USDA mark of inspection.
Canadian shipments carry the Canadian mark of inspection and an export stamp.
For imported egg products, the first 10 shipments from each foreign plant is tested at the destination facility to establish a history of compliance. This rate is reduced to a random selection of one in eight production lots as long as the product continues to be in compliance. Each production lot is subject to an organoleptic inspection, as well as the evaluation of labeling. In order to export to the United States, a foreign country must have a residue control program with standards equivalent to U.S. standards. FSIS randomly samples meat, poultry, and egg products for violative chemical residues under the National Residue Program.