New FDA rules for imported food

With some foodborne illness outbreaks traced to imported goods—gourmet cheese, for example, the Obama administration has strengthened its initiatives for improving food safety in the country, according to a Washington Post report.

The government has finally released FDA proposals on ensuring that imported food meets US food safety standards. According to the CDC, over 48 million Americans get sick from contaminated foods. 3,000 die from these foods each year.

The new regulations, in a way, are intended to address this problem so the average food server or convenience store clerk doesn’t have to painstakingly inspect each food item. Drafted by the US Food and Drug Administration, the new rules aim to put a food safety system in place by preventing foodborne illness incidences rather than simply containing outbreaks.

Under the new policies, US-based importers would have to guarantee that their overseas suppliers are observing strict food safety practices in their host countries. The policy also emphasizes on improving the transparency of food safety audits.

The FDA reports that 15 percent of the country’s food supply is sourced from overseas. These imports come from over 150 countries. These imports constitute 80 percent of seafood, 50 percent of fresh fruits and 20 percent of veggies.

The FDA is open to comments and suggestions on the new proposals for the next 120 days.