AskUSDA (2024)

FAQs

What is ask fsis? ›

The guidance resource, askFSIS, is a Web-based computer application, designed to respond to technical and policy-related questions from FSIS inspectors, industry, consumers, other stakeholders, and the public.

​​​ AskUSDA is a contact center that answers general inquiries from the public using trained agents and self-service options. To date, AskUSDA has partnered with 19 agencies to improve the customer experience offered to the public.

For questions about payments, moratorium requests, payoffs, etc. call the Customer Service Center at (800) 414-1226. For questions about the Multi-Family Housing Program MFHFODNortheast@usda.gov or 800-292-8293.

FSIS protects public health by preventing illness from meat, poultry and egg products. We do this by ensuring these products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled. FSIS is part of a science-based national system to ensure food safety and food defense.

FSIS provides for the inspection of each animal or bird at slaughter and processed products during various stages of production. FSIS inspects all raw meat and poultry sold in interstate and foreign commerce, including imported products. It monitors meat and poultry products after they leave federally inspected plants.

It is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who has served since February 24, 2021.

Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation's 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

The USDA is responsible for overseeing farming, ranching, and forestry industries, as well as regulating aspects of food quality and safety and nutrition labeling. The USDA is further tasked with administering several social welfare programs including free school lunches and food stamps.

Along with no need for a down payment, USDA loans have another advantage: You could qualify for a low, fixed interest rate if you have low income. Some drawbacks, though, are that the property must be located in a USDA-approved area, and borrowers cannot exceed income limits.

Which is better, FHA or USDA? ›

USDA loans are ideal for borrowers with lower incomes who want to buy in rural areas. FHA loans are often ideal for borrowers who have a small down payment saved and credit scores that aren't high enough to get a low interest rate on a conventional mortgage.

The current standard USDA loan income limit for 1-4 member households is $110,650, up from $103,500 in early 2023. The 2024 limit for 5-8 member households is $146,050, up from $136,600.

FDA, through its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), regulates foods other than the meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by FSIS. FDA is also responsible for the safety of drugs, medical devices, biologics, animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, and radiation emitting devices.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that United States' commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

FSIS promotes food defense by encouraging establishments to voluntarily adopt a functional food defense plan; implement food defense practices (including inside, outside, and personnel security measures); and conduct training and exercises to ensure preparedness.

Acceptability Determination: The process by which a new ingredient or substance or a new use of an ingredient or substance is deemed safe and suitable in the production of meat, poultry, and egg products.