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.
Last checked on Jan 19, 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
The SGS Digicomply Food Regulatory Guide for the United States of America includes:
To request access specifically to the United States of America Regulatory Guide, please contact us now:
SGS Digicomply offers over 250 Up-to-Date Regulatory Guides for countries worldwide. Explore the regulatory landscape using our guides, which provide a consistent and comprehensive format for understanding the regulatory framework specific to any market. These guides are designed to help you easily navigate complex compliance requirements, making it easier to conduct business across global markets. Explore our Regulatory Guides demo to see how it works.