Overview of Regulatory Related to Food Safety

Question 1

The FDA oversees

Answer 1

All domestic and imported food sold in interstate commerce, including shell eggs, but not meat and poultry

Question 2

Food Safety Role (FDA)

Answer 2

• Collecting and analyzing samples (physical, chemical, and microbial contamination)
• Monitoring the safety of animal feeds used in food-producing animals
• Establishing GMP and other production standards
• Educating industry and consumers on safe food-handling practices

Question 3

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Food Safety Role

Answer 3

• Investigates foodborne disease outbreaks (with local, state, & other federal official sources)
• Maintains a nationwide system of foodborne disease surveillance
• Develops and advocates public health policies
• Conducts research to help prevent foodborne illness

Question 4

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) oversees

Answer 4

Domestic and imported meat and poultry related products, such as meat or poultry containing stews, pizzas and frozen foods

Question 5

USDA FSIS Food Safety Roles

Answer 5

• Inspecting food animals for disease before and after slaughter
• Establishing production standards for use of food additives and other ingredients
• Collecting and analyzing samples of food products for microbial and chemical contaminates, infectious and toxic agents
• Educating industry and consumers on safe food handling practices

Question 6

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees

Answer 6

Drinking water and Pesticide safety

Question 7

EPA Food Safety Role

Answer 7

• Establishes safe drinking water standards
• Regulates toxic substances and wastes to prevent their entry into the environment and food chain
• Determines safety of new pesticides, sets tolerance levels for pesticide residues in food and publishes direction on the safe use of pesticides

Question 8

US Customs Service oversees

Answer 8

Imported Foods

Question 9

US Customs Service Food Safety Roles

Answer 9

• Works with federal regulatory agencies to ensure that all good entering and exiting the US do so according to US laws and regulations

Question 10

US Department of Justice Food Safety Roles

Answer 10

• Prosecutes companies and individuals suspected of violating food safety laws
• Through US Marshals Service, seizes unsafe food products not yet in the marketplace, as order by courts

Question 11

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Food Safety Role

Answer 11

Enforces a variety of laws that protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices, including deceptive advertising

Question 12

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau oversees

Answer 12

Alcoholic beverages except wine beverages containing less than 7% alcohol

Question 13

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau food safety roles

Answer 13

• Enforces food safety laws governing alcoholic beverages
• Investigates adulteration alcoholic products, sometimes with help from the FDA

Question 14

National Marine Fisheries Service oversees

Answer 14

Fish and seafood products (through a voluntary fee-for-service system)

Question 15

National Marine Fisheries Service food safety role

Answer 15

The seafood inspection program inspects and certifies fishing vessels seafood processing plants and retail facilities for federal sanitation standards