Responsible Agencies
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP): As a first line of defense US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for inspecting food imports for compliance with U.S. law and coordinating with the FDA to enforce food safety laws at the border, among other things. Customs cooperates with FDA and FSIS in carrying out their regulatory roles in food safety. CBP’s computerized screening system processes all imported shipments, including food. CBP requires importers to (1) give a manufacturer identification number for each imported shipment and (2) post a monetary bond for formal entries to provide assurance that these shipments meet U.S. requirements, among other things. 20(1GAO, Food Safety: Federal Efforts to Ensure the Safety of Imported Foods Are Inconsistent and Unreliable, GAO/RCED-98-103 page 14 (Washington, D.C.: Apr. 30, 1998).
21(2GAO, Food Safety: Agencies Need to Address Gaps in Enforcement and Collaboration to Enhance Safety of Imported Food, GAO-09-873 page 2 (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 15, 2009)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA mission is to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics (FD&C) Act and other laws which are designed to protect the health and safety of U.S. consumers. FDA has jurisdiction over all food products (dairy, fruits, vegetables, and seafood), excluding meat and poultry.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The United States Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States.
The USDA routinely conducts targeted enforcement actions to survey USDA regulated imported products. USDA Plant Protection Quarantine Smuggling Interdiction Trade and Compliance (USDA PPQ SITC) have the responsibility to prevent the unlawful, smuggled distribution of prohibited products that may harbor exotic plant and animal pests, diseases, or invasive species. 23(USDA.gov)
The disease status of a country determines if a meat and/or poultry item is permitted to enter the US. The USDA maintains a current list of foreign countries and their disease status on the USDA website – Appendix C. 24 (USDA.gov/appendix C). Many diseases are prevalent in other countries and are not found in the United States. Such countries are banned to import meat and/or poultry products into the United States. Some of the known diseases referred to include Avian Influenza H5N1, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Classic Swine Fever, and Foot and Mouth Disease. Most imported meats, poultry, milk, and eggs require a permit from USDA APHIS veterinary services under authority of the Animal Health Protection Act 25(AHPA; 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq) and/or a health certificate from the country of origin or are banned to enter the US.
Under the Plant Protection Act 26(PPA; 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq), both laws are intended to ensure that imports are free of foreign diseases or pests that would threaten the US. APHIS also requires phytosanitary certificates for many imported plants and plant product due to the possible harborage of diseases. 27(Geoffrey S. Becker – U.S. Food & Agriculture Imports: Safeguards & Selected Issues – page 6 March17, 2010
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34198.pdf)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is concerned with protecting human health and the environment. Its activities include environmental research, sponsorship of educational programs, and financial support for research that can improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues. Most relevant to the food industry, the EPA sets and enforces regulations whose purpose is to maintain a certain level of environmental quality (air, water, etc.) EPA also sets the tolerance for pesticide residues in foods.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Additional information regarding the federal agencies can be obtained at www.foodsafety.gov
21(2GAO, Food Safety: Agencies Need to Address Gaps in Enforcement and Collaboration to Enhance Safety of Imported Food, GAO-09-873 page 2 (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 15, 2009)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA mission is to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics (FD&C) Act and other laws which are designed to protect the health and safety of U.S. consumers. FDA has jurisdiction over all food products (dairy, fruits, vegetables, and seafood), excluding meat and poultry.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The United States Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States.
The USDA routinely conducts targeted enforcement actions to survey USDA regulated imported products. USDA Plant Protection Quarantine Smuggling Interdiction Trade and Compliance (USDA PPQ SITC) have the responsibility to prevent the unlawful, smuggled distribution of prohibited products that may harbor exotic plant and animal pests, diseases, or invasive species. 23(USDA.gov)
The disease status of a country determines if a meat and/or poultry item is permitted to enter the US. The USDA maintains a current list of foreign countries and their disease status on the USDA website – Appendix C. 24 (USDA.gov/appendix C). Many diseases are prevalent in other countries and are not found in the United States. Such countries are banned to import meat and/or poultry products into the United States. Some of the known diseases referred to include Avian Influenza H5N1, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Classic Swine Fever, and Foot and Mouth Disease. Most imported meats, poultry, milk, and eggs require a permit from USDA APHIS veterinary services under authority of the Animal Health Protection Act 25(AHPA; 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq) and/or a health certificate from the country of origin or are banned to enter the US.
Under the Plant Protection Act 26(PPA; 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq), both laws are intended to ensure that imports are free of foreign diseases or pests that would threaten the US. APHIS also requires phytosanitary certificates for many imported plants and plant product due to the possible harborage of diseases. 27(Geoffrey S. Becker – U.S. Food & Agriculture Imports: Safeguards & Selected Issues – page 6 March17, 2010
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34198.pdf)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is concerned with protecting human health and the environment. Its activities include environmental research, sponsorship of educational programs, and financial support for research that can improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues. Most relevant to the food industry, the EPA sets and enforces regulations whose purpose is to maintain a certain level of environmental quality (air, water, etc.) EPA also sets the tolerance for pesticide residues in foods.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Additional information regarding the federal agencies can be obtained at www.foodsafety.gov