Comprehensive Guide to United States Food Regulatory Authorities

The United States of America's food law and regulatory system is complex as there are multiple laws and regulations that determine its federal food regulatory framework. There are twelve federal agencies that are involved with food, food safety and regulatory enforcement. When there is no federal preemption written into the law or no federal law, there are fifty States, the District of Columbia, and territory laws, regulations and enforcement which adds to the complexity. This comprehensive guide delves into the key agencies, their purposes, and responsibilities, providing valuable insights for professionals in the field.

Competent Authorities in U.S. Food Regulation

Last checked on Jan 19, 2024

US Food and Drug Administration

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, animal foods & feed and veterinary products.

USDA Food Safety Inspection Service FSIS

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that the United States' commercial supply of meat which includes siluriformes, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labelled and packaged.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service AMS

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, and has programs in five commodity areas: cotton and tobacco; dairy; fruit and vegetable; livestock and seed; and poultry. These programs provide testing, standardization, grading and market news services for those commodities, and oversee marketing agreements and orders, administer research and promotion programs, and purchase commodities for federal food programs.

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for protecting animal health, animal welfare, and plant health. APHIS is the lead agency for collaboration with other agencies to protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases.

USDA Food and Nutrition Services FNS

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. The FNS is the federal agency responsible for administering the nation’s domestic nutrition assistance programs

USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration GIPSA

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture.

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere

USDC NOAA National Marine Fishery Service NMFS

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a federal agency, responsible for the stewardship of national marine resources. The agency conserves and manages fisheries to promote sustainability and prevent lost economic potential associated with overfishing, declining species, and degraded habitats.

US Environmental Protection Agency EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government for environmental protection. The agency is responsible for establishing pesticides and other chemical maximum residue limits (MRLs)

US Center for Disease ContrOL CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health institute of the United States. Its main goal is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and internationally.

US Federal Trade Commission FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government. Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices.

US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ATF/TTB

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prevention of federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession, illegal trafficking and tax evasion of alcohol and tobacco products which the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) oversees the daily regulatory activity for alcohol and tobacco.

Access to the Most Comprehensive United States of America Food Regulatory Guide

The SGS Digicomply Food Regulatory Guide for the United States of America includes:

• Market Introduction
• Competent Authorities
• General Food Law: This includes general food safety laws, novel foods and introduction of new ingredients, e-commerce specific regulations, food operator registration requirements and control, food registration requirements, and dietary supplements and botanicals.
• Food Additives: This includes processing aids, permitted food additives, permitted flavourings, and use of foods as food additives.
• Labeling Requirements: This includes labeling of finished products, food product claims, labeling for food service and vending machines, labeling of samples not for sale, Halal, Kosher, vegan and vegetarian foods, and labeling of GMOs and bioengineered foods.
• Pesticides & Contaminants – Maximum Residue Levels: This includes pesticides, microbiological and safety requirements, veterinary drugs, trans-fatty acids, substances specifically not permitted for use in foodstuff, heavy metals, GMOs processes and procedures, and unclassified contaminants.
• Packaging and Packaging Sustainability: This includes finished products, packaging food process additives, packaging made of recycled materials (rPET and other recycled materials), and packaging claims. It also covers industry associations and NGO standards for packaging materials and recycling, government pre-approval requirements, packaging-related sustainable/environmentally friendly design, and food contact regulations such as single-use plastics.
• Import / Export Requirements: This includes requirements for foods import, trade agreements, and manufacturing intermediates (B2B).
• Product & Material Standards/Requirements: This includes fruits and vegetables, sweeteners including honey, bakery wares, meat substitutes, plant and novel proteins, prepared foods, fats and oils and fat emulsions, edible ices, beverages, ready-to-eat savories, confectionery, dairy products and analogues, cereals and cereal products, eggs and egg products, fish and fish products, meat and meat products, pet food/feed, livestock feed, nutritional uses and specific diets, and spices and other condiments.

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