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.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

These scammers try to pressure customers into giving them money or personal information. Scam callers can fake or “spoof” the caller identification (ID) on your phone, making it seem the call is legitimate. A USDA caller ID number appearing on your phone does NOT mean the person calling you is actually a USDA employee.

BACKGROUND: USDA programs are funded through the annual Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) appropriations bill.

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.

What is the income limit for a USDA loan in PA? ›

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers loan programs to help servicemembers, veterans, and their families buy homes.

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.

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.

Some canned food, such as some canned ham and seafood, are not safe at room temperature. These will be labeled "Keep Refrigerated." In order to be shelf stable, perishable food must be treated by heat and/or dried to destroy foodborne microorganisms that can cause illness or spoil food.

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.