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Grading and Inspection
US Grade A Poultry
Quality means "The inherent properties of a product that determine its relative degree of excellence."
Product is continuously monitored by USDA graders and assigned a grade based on the following quality factors: exposed flesh, defeathering, discolorations, broken bones, missing parts, freezing defects, conformation or shape, fleshing, and fat covering.
Grading is a voluntary service paid for by poultry processors. Not all poultry is USDA graded.
US Inspected Poultry
Inspection refers to the safety of poultry and poultry products and the accuracy of their labels.
Both the products and the plants' systems for sanitation and preparation of products are inspected to assure that they are safe.
Inspection involves only those properties related to wholesomeness and labeling, not quality.
Inspection is mandatory and required by law, with minor exceptions.