What is the purpose of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service?

The purpose of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is primarily focused on ensuring that meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. The agency carries out inspections and enforces regulations regarding the production of these foods to prevent contamination and ensure compliance with food safety standards. This helps protect public health by ensuring that the food supply is free from harmful pathogens and unsafe additives.

In contrast, the other options address important aspects of animal care and food valuation but do not align with the main mission of the FSIS. Training volunteers or ensuring humane treatment of livestock pertains to specific animal welfare and training initiatives, while validating the nutritional value of foods refers to a different aspect of food regulation that involves research and policy outside the direct remit of the FSIS. The FSIS's core responsibility is centered on safety and inspection, which is why the focus is correctly placed on ensuring that meat and poultry are safe for consumption.