What Is Commerce?

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
defines commerce as “the exchange or transportation of meat and poultry products between
States, U.S. territories . . . , and the District of Columbia.”14 Commerce can be interstate or
intrastate.15 A product is only “in commerce” once it is out of the producing establishment’s
direct control and is in distribution (e.g., in another Federal establishment, in a warehouse,
distribution center, retail facility, restaurant, or other institution). Domestic product is considered
“in commerce” if it has been shipped from a firm without FSIS or firm controls or restrictions
and is free to be moved to any consignee or to consumers.”