Trade Agreements & International Arrangements

With the expanding importation of food products into the United States and the exportation of U.S. products from the United States, FDA is challenged by increasing expectations of its role in global food safety-related trade issues. U.S. trade agencies, food industries, and foreign governments encourage FDA and CFSAN to assume more direct responsibility for attesting to the safety, quality, and label attributes of foods produced and exported from the United States. FDA and CFSAN work to ensure food safety and public health measures are not compromised in international and bilateral trade fora.

The rules of international trade continue to change as they adjust to the world's economy. Rights and obligations under international trade agreements have introduced challenges to the balance of a safe food supply, food product regulation, and the flow of trade.