Government Agencies - Food Safety Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

-Inspects all food except meat, poultry, and eggs

-Regulates food transported across state lines

-Issues the FDA Food Code

The U.S. Department of Agriculture:

-Regulates and inspects meat, poultry, and eggs

-Regulates food that crosses state boundaries or involves more than one state

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

-Agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

-Assist the FDA, USDA, and state and local regulatory authorities

by providing these services:

o Investigating outbreaks of foodborne illness

o Studying the causes and control of disease

o Publishing statistical data and case studies in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

o Providing educational services in the field of sanitation

o Conducting the Vessel Sanitation Program—an inspection program for cruise ships

The Public Health Service (PHS):

-Assist the FDA, USDA, and state and local regulatory authorities

-Conduct research into the causes of foodborne-illness outbreaks

-Assist in investigating outbreaks

State and local regulatory authorities:

-Inspect operations

-Enforce regulations

-Investigate complaints and illnesses

-Issue licenses and permits

-Approve construction

-Review and approve HACCP plans