FDA Proposes New Rules For Imported Food

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules that would require food importers to show their products meet U.S. safety standards. This is a major change of approach to imported food safety, which is now under the aegis of FDA inspectors who inspect only a small percentage of what enters the country. The FDA is responsible for the safety of about 80 percent of U.S. food products, with meat, poultry and some eggs under the Agriculture Department. In addition, the proposed rules exempt importers of seafood and fruit juices. Critics of the current system say that whether the reforms are an improvement will depend on the quality of the audit programs at the overseas sites.