Pew Commends FDA for Releasing Draft Rules to Make Imported Foods Safer

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pew Charitable Trusts commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, today for issuing two draft rules needed to implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

The first rule would require importers to ensure that food coming into the United States meets FDA safety standards. The second rule would establish standards to oversee third-party auditors that, in some cases, may be engaged to help ensure that food imports are safe. Sandra Eskin, director of Pew's food safety campaign, issued this statement:

"With the release of the draft import rules, we are one step closer to a safer food supply thanks to implementation of the bipartisan FDA food safety law. Once finalized, the rules would ensure that foreign foods are held to the same high safety standards as American products. They would better protect consumers, who get an estimated 15 percent of their food from abroad, including about two-thirds of fruits and vegetables. By holding overseas producers to U.S. food safety standards, the new rules would establish a level playing field that would also benefit U.S. businesses, farmers, and food processors."

More information on the landmark food safety law and its implementation is available at www.pewhealth.org/foodsafety.

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