The Food Standard Commission of the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization and

World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), in cooperation with different nations, helps

develop international standards in the production, processing, and preservation of
foods exported and imported.

Codex Alimentarius (CA) is an international food regulatory agency formed by

different nations. It helps develop uniform food standards for all countries to
ease export and import of foods between countries.

Some of the branches in the State Department of Agriculture and Public Health are
responsible for the safety of food sold in the state.
They cooperate with the federal government agencies to ensure the wholesomeness and
safety of foods produced and served in the state.
State inspectors inspect restaurants, retail food stores, dairies, grain mills, and
processing facilities on a regular basis.
Some states have authority over inspection of the quality of fish and shellfish
taken from state waters.
These agencies, if necessary, can embargo illegal food products sold in the state.
Federal agencies provide guidelines, when necessary, to state agencies for the
regulations.

In 2011, to improve food safety efforts even further, the Food Safety Modernization
Act (FSMA) was enacted.
The major emphases in this Act include
(i) preventive control plans,
(ii) mandatory produce safety standards: science-based food safety approach,
(iii) mandatory inspection for high-risk products,
(iv) product tracing,
(v) performance standards,
(vi) third-party certification,
(vii) certification for high-risk foods,
(viii) increased inspection authority,
(ix) mandatory recall authority when the samples show evidence for pathogen
contamination and death associated with the food, and
(x) suspension of registration of the offending food producer.

In the United States, several federal agencies are delegated the responsibilities
to monitor and regulate the origin, composition, quality, quantity, safety,
labeling, packaging, and marketing of foods.
Two agencies, the FDA and USDA, are directly involved with the microbiological
safety of foods, and their responsibilities in this regard are discussed here.
Other agencies are involved in areas not directly related to microbiological safety
of foods. Some of these are the following:
1. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Responsible for enforcing the
laws that cover production and labeling of all alcoholic beverages except wine.
2. Department of Justice. Conducts seizures of a product and criminal proceedings
in case of violation of a food law.

3. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD is involved when there is an attempt for
intentional administration of pathogens or toxins in the food for bioterrorism
purposes.
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Determines safety and tolerance levels of
pesticide residues in foods and establishes water quality standards for drinking
water (not bottled water).
5. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Regulates correct procedures of advertising of
foods.
6. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Responsible for seafood quality,
habitat conservation, and aquaculture production (not microbiological quality).