USDA expands heavy metal surveillance to processed foods, animal feed
US regulatory agencies have broadened heavy metal testing beyond raw meat, poultry, and eggs to include processed products and animal feed, necessitating enhanced supply chain scrutiny.
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Washington D.C., United States — 13 July 2026
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), in conjunction with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has significantly expanded its framework for detecting and reporting contaminant residues. A revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines updated coordination protocols for drug, pesticide, and chemical contaminant residues in meat, poultry, and egg products. A key development is FSIS's extension of heavy metal surveillance to include multi-ingredient processed foods, such as sausages and ready-to-eat meals. This expansion leverages a new 18-metal laboratory method designed for detection at "extremely low levels," as confirmed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Beyond finished products, the MOU explicitly extends regulatory oversight to "food for food-producing animals." This provision directly integrates animal feed and feed ingredient suppliers into the coordinated framework. Consequently, any residue violation identified in an animal product at slaughter could now be traced directly back to upstream suppliers of feed, feed ingredients, or animal medications. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated that the objective is to "strengthen oversight, improve detection, and coordinate across the federal government to reduce exposure to heavy metals and other toxins."
The collaborative framework delineates specific agency responsibilities. The FDA sets maximum residue levels (tolerances) for animal drugs in edible tissues, while the EPA establishes tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including animal feed. FSIS manages the sampling via the National Residue Program and provides weekly residue reports to the FDA. These reports can initiate FDA investigations to identify responsible parties for tissue residue violations and for introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. Both the FDA and EPA commit to notifying FSIS when new tolerances, action levels, or screening levels for contaminants are established or amended, reinforcing inter-agency data sharing.
What this means for United States
US manufacturers of processed foods containing meat, poultry, or eggs must immediately review their ingredient supply chains for heavy metal risks, anticipating increased FSIS scrutiny. Brand owners could face product recalls and reputational damage if their products exceed the new "extremely low level" thresholds. Ingredient suppliers to the animal feed sector are now under direct regulatory spotlight; MOQs and pricing structures may shift to absorb enhanced testing costs. Furthermore, this expanded testing creates competitive advantages for brands demonstrating robust heavy metal mitigation strategies, potentially influencing consumer purchasing decisions that prioritise 'clean label' products.
This trend is being actively addressed by UK manufacturing partners including Supplement Factory.