Withdrawal of Inspection is described as which type of enforcement action?

• A. Least severe enforcement action
• B. Suspension
• C. Most severe enforcement action that can be taken against the official establishment
• D. Advisory notice

Answer: (C)

Withdrawal of Inspection is the highest-level enforcement action FSIS can take against an establishment. When serious or ongoing noncompliance creates a real risk to public health, FSIS withdraws inspection, removing the establishment’s authority to process, label, or market products under federal inspection. Without that status, products can’t be sold as FSIS-inspected, effectively stopping the facility’s ability to operate under the inspection program until proper corrective actions are completed and inspection is reinstated. This is more severe than a temporary suspension, which can be lifted after fixes are made, or an advisory notice, which is informational. Reinstatement requires addressing the deficiencies and passing a reinspection.