U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
In 1862, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) became a department in the executive branch of the United States (US) Federal Government. USDA oversees programs and regulates products related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. Regarding food specifically, USDA regulates meats (beef, lamb, pork), poultry, eggs, and catfish and products made from meat, poultry, eggs, and catfish. Organic foods and beverages are also regulated by USDA. By its nearly 100,000 employees, USDA strives to promote safety in food and its production as it oversees everything from agriculture to catfish.
There are 29 agencies within USDA. The Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) are two agencies that focus specifically on the safety of meat, poultry, and processed egg products and agriculture and natural resources, respectively. FSIS and APHIS are committed to promoting and overseeing the safety of foods produced in, imported to, and exported from the US. The National Organic Program (NOP) oversees organic food safety.
Each of these and every other USDA agency has a multitude of different requirements for food, agriculture, forestry, or whatever may be the focus of that agency. The NOP, for example, requires a labeled organic product to be certified. APHIS requires permits for any kind of plant or animal importation. FSIS enforces an array of specific guidelines for the inspection of imported meats. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) arm of USDA regulates certain imported fruits and vegetables under Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. This includes inspections at the border to ensure grade and quality standards. AMS also oversees Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations which require certain retailers to label the source of selected food products.
Between the certifications, permits, and guidelines for proper manufacturing, packaging, labeling, etc., it is often difficult to achieve compliance. Lack of compliance could result in product suspension, recall, or fines, among other things. We understand that working in the food industry in the US can be a challenging business and our consultants help companies understand which USDA regulations apply and how to comply with them.