Microbial contamination of meat and meat products is unavoidable as microorganisms are present on animals and in their environment. Thus, raw and not fully heated (commercially processed) or otherwise processed/preserved (e.g. frozen, fermented/dried, high hydrostatic pressure processed, irradiated) meat and meat products are prone to spoilage and compromised safety due to microbial presence and growth. Raw meat products (although few consumers eat certain meat products raw or undercooked, intentionally or accidentally; a practice not recommended) need further processing and/or cooking before consumption. This makes them shelf-stable or semi-perishable, and safe for consumption or ready-to-eat. In general, the shelf-life, quality and safety of meat and meat products are extended and improved through adequate processing, appropriate marketing, storage and preparation for consumption, under properly clean, sanitary and hygienic conditions, following an integrated approach throughout all sectors of the food supply web, including producers, processors, distributors, retailers, as well as consumers. The strategy for hazard control should include: (1) good animal production practices on the farm; (2) slaughtering of animals that are disease-free; (3) processing of carcasses and meat in properly designed and maintained facilities and under sanitary and hygienic conditions; (4) use of decontamination intervention strategies, if approved, to reduce microbial levels when needed; (5) thermal processing, freezing, drying, fermentation, acidification, use of approved antimicrobials in certain products, and packaging; (6) maintenance of proper cold chain conditions during distribution; (7) proper storage and preparation procedures by food service and consumers; and (8) management of every segment of this common sense but complex system, with well-validated, verified and documented programs such as the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system.