American consumers demand a consistently safe, diverse, and plentiful food supply, readily available and affordable year-round. To satisfy these demands, the United States imports a significant portion of its food. So, How Much Food Does The Us Import? Approximately 15 percent of the overall US food supply comes from imports. This complex, globalized food marketplace, involving over 200 countries and territories and roughly 125,000 food facilities plus farms, presents both opportunities and challenges for the US food safety system.
The US relies heavily on imports for specific food categories. For instance, imports account for approximately 32 percent of the fresh vegetables, 55 percent of the fresh fruit, and a striking 94 percent of the seafood consumed annually by Americans. This reliance underscores the importance of a robust and effective system for ensuring the safety of imported foods.
Enhancing Food Safety Through FSMA
In response to these challenges, Congress enacted the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011. This legislation shifted the regulatory focus from responding to contamination incidents to proactively preventing them. Over the subsequent years, the FDA has established prevention-based standards applicable to both domestic and foreign entities involved in food production, including growers, manufacturers, processors, packers, and holders.
FSMA not only established new food safety standards but also granted the FDA expanded oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure compliance. While inspections remain a crucial tool for monitoring domestic food producers and play a vital role in overseeing foreign producers, Congress recognized the need for enhanced measures to address the specific food safety risks associated with imported foods. Through FSMA, the FDA gained access to new tools and authorities designed to proactively prevent food safety problems, ideally before imported food reaches US borders or consumers’ tables.
FDA’s Strategic Approach to Imported Food Safety
Effectively utilizing the available tools across the diverse segments of the international food supply chain is crucial for minimizing public health risks while maintaining a level playing field for both domestic and foreign producers. This requires a pragmatic and adaptable approach. The FDA’s strategy involves integrating new import oversight tools with existing mechanisms to create a comprehensive system for ensuring the safety of imported food.
This strategy is guided by four primary goals:
- Goal 1: Imported Food Meets U.S. Safety Standards: Ensuring that all food offered for import into the United States complies with established U.S. food safety requirements.
- Goal 2: Preventing Unsafe Food at the Border: Implementing robust border surveillance measures to prevent the entry of unsafe foods into the United States.
- Goal 3: Rapid Response to Unsafe Food: Establishing rapid and effective response protocols to address incidents involving unsafe imported food.
- Goal 4: Efficient Import Program: Creating an efficient and effective food import program that minimizes risks while facilitating trade.
The FDA’s strategy document outlines various methods and objectives the agency employs to achieve these goals, including risk-based resource allocation and collaboration with international partners. This includes leveraging data analytics to identify high-risk products and producers, conducting more frequent inspections of foreign facilities, and working with foreign governments to enhance their food safety standards.
Key Strategies for Imported Food Safety
To achieve these goals, the FDA employs a range of strategies, including:
- Risk-Based Resource Allocation: Focusing resources on areas of highest risk, such as specific food products or countries with known food safety issues.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthening collaboration with foreign governments, industry stakeholders, and consumer groups to improve food safety practices throughout the supply chain.
- Data Analytics: Utilizing data analytics to identify emerging risks and trends in imported food safety.
- Targeted Inspections: Conducting targeted inspections of foreign food facilities based on risk assessments.
- Import Alerts: Issuing import alerts to prevent the entry of unsafe food products.
- Third-Party Certification: Requiring third-party certification for certain high-risk food products.
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP): Offering expedited review and entry to importers who have a proven track record of food safety compliance.
The Future of Imported Food Safety
As the global food supply chain continues to evolve, the FDA’s strategy for ensuring the safety of imported food must remain adaptable and responsive to emerging challenges. By leveraging data, fostering collaboration, and implementing innovative approaches to oversight, the agency can continue to protect American consumers from foodborne illnesses and ensure access to a safe and abundant food supply. The ongoing implementation and refinement of FSMA, coupled with a commitment to continuous improvement, are essential for maintaining a robust and effective imported food safety system.
In conclusion, the United States relies on imports for a significant portion of its food supply. The FDA’s comprehensive strategy, guided by FSMA and a commitment to proactive prevention, is essential for ensuring the safety of these imported foods and protecting public health. By understanding how much food the US imports and the measures in place to ensure its safety, consumers can have greater confidence in the food they eat.
