Final answer:
The FDA and USDA specification surrounding meat include standards for inspection, sanitation, and nutrient retention, established by acts such as the Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act of 1906, as well as modern regulations like the FDAAA of 2007.
Step-by-step explanation:
Specifications made by the FDA and USDA surrounding meat include federal standards of inspection, sanitation, and nutrient content. One pivotal legislation was the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which established inspection and sanitation standards for meatpackers and required drug makers to list ingredients. The Meat Inspection Act of the same year mandated that all animals pass inspection before slaughter, setting cleanliness standards to ensure meat products were slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions.
Over time, the responsibilities of the FDA have expanded and now include ensuring the safety of imported foods and medical products. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) of 2007 is another significant act that provided the FDA with new authorities to modernize drug safety. The USDA continuously researches and updates nutritional data such as in the 2004 nutrient retention study, which helps in informing both the industry and the public about the nutritional quality of food products.