US, Mexico partner on food safety

The United States and Mexico are partnering on new food safety regulations, which include seafood safety enhancements and better disease outbreak mitigation measures

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks and the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) – have officially expanded a partnership to work together on food safety.

A previous partnership between the organizations focused on produce produce, but has been expanded to now include the safety of all human food regulated by the FDA, the agency said in a press release.

"U.S. consumers rely on imports from Mexico for much of the fresh fruit and vegetables that they eat as well as other foods,” FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn said. “By strengthening our ongoing collaboration with Mexico’s food safety regulatory authorities, we can bolster our important work protecting public health in both countries and prevent foodborne diseases by using modern technology, preventive practices based on technical and scientific evidence, as well as actions of health surveillance and verification measures.”

FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint, launched in July, includes utilizing technology to enhance traceability, responding more quickly to outbreaks, and other factors affecting the seafood industry.

The blueprint “outlines the approach the FDA will take over the next decade to encourage more effective and modern food safety processes,”FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said.

“Through this new partnership, the FDA, SENASICA, and COFEPRIS will enhance our level of collaboration to strengthen food safety and leverage new approaches that further protect consumers in both the U.S. and Mexico,” he said.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration