Many government agencies cooperate to ensure the safety of shell eggs from farm to table. USDA Agencies: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) * AMS administers a voluntary egg-quality grading program for shell eggs paid for by processing plants. * AMS also is responsible for the shell egg surveillance program to assure that eggs in the marketplace are as good as or better than U.S. Consumer Grade B. AMS visits shell egg handlers and hatcheries four times each year to ensure conformance with these requirements. * The USDA grade mark on egg cartons means the plant processed the eggs following USDA's sanitation and good manufacturing processes. * On April 27, 1998, AMS announced a prohibition on the repackaging of eggs packed under its voluntary grading program. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) * APHIS conducts activities to reduce the risk of disease in flocks of laying hens. * APHIS administers the voluntary National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), which certifies that poultry breeding stock and hatcheries are free from certain diseases. Participation is necessary for producers that ship interstate or internationally. * APHIS' National Animal Health Monitoring System is currently conducting a nationwide survey of the egg industry whose purpose is to estimate the national prevalence of SE layer flocks. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) * FSIS is responsible for the importation of shell eggs for breaking, which are eligible from any foreign country. Restrictions may be applied by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/manuals/port/ pdf_files/APM_in_PDF/03-06-Eggs.pdf (PDF Only). * FSIS verifies shell eggs packed for the consumer are labeled “Keep Refrigerated” and transported under refrigeration and ambient temperature of no greater than 45 °F. * USDA also educates consumers about the safe handling of eggs. FSIS has developed numerous publications on egg safety and uses a variety of networks (such as the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline and USDA cooperative extension agents) to get this information to consumers. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) * USDA also carries out food safety research through ARS and through a program administered by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education & Extension Service (CSREES). Subjects include studying how Salmonella adheres to chicken cells, and developing an oral vaccine against SE. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) * USDA collects processing and distribution information for the economic analysis of the egg products industry through NASS. Other Government Agencies FSIS/FDA Cooperation * FSIS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) share authority for egg safety and are working together toward solving the problem of SE in eggs. * FSIS and FDA are working to strengthen the Food Code and to encourage its adoption by States and local jurisdictions. State Agriculture Departments * State agriculture departments monitor compliance with official U.S. standards, grades, and weight classes by egg packers not using the USDA/AMS shell egg grading service. State and Local Health Departments * State and local health departments monitor compliance with state and local health department requirements by food retail and foodservice establishments.