To supply federal assistance to mississippi to operate a meat and poultry inspection program in order to assure the consumer an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and…

The Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service awarded a $1.594 million cooperative agreement to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce on October 1, 2025, under the Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection program (CFDA 10.477) to operate a state meat and poultry inspection program assuring consumers an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and poultry products.

The recipient operates the intrastate inspection program across Mississippi processing plants, conducting ante-mortem, post-mortem, and facility inspections to enforce federal standards for food safety, proper labeling, and sanitation. The award runs through September 30, 2026, with performance occurring throughout Mississippi. The program's scope covers meat and poultry products produced in plants and shipped in commerce, with oversight authority under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and Humane Slaughter Act. Eligibility for renewal is contingent on the recipient maintaining required sanitation and operating standards; FSIS performs audits every three years to validate that the state program remains at least equal to federal inspection requirements. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce serves as the prime recipient and performs work directly without pass-through to sub-recipients.

To supply federal assistance to mississippi to operate a meat and poultry inspection program in order to assure the consumer an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat and poultry products.