[Note: addresses the FDA’s oversight of foods imported from countries covered by a Systems Recognition Arrangement, specifically adjustments to activities that include inspections, screening and sampling. Systems recognition is a partnership between the FDA and a foreign regulatory counterpart (referred to as participating agency or agencies), in which the agencies have concluded that they operate comparable regulatory programs that yield similar food safety outcomes.]

FDA Issues Systems Recognition Draft Guidance

FDA Issues Industry Guidance on Oversight of Food Products Covered by Systems Recognition Arrangements

USDA

USDA Announces $500 Million for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing Capacity as Part of Efforts to Increase Competition, Level the Playing Field for Family Farmers and Ranchers, and Build a Better Food System

[Brief Summary: This is one of several key steps that USDA will take to increase competition in agricultural markets, pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting competition and as part of USDA efforts to build a more resilient supply chain and better food system. USDA is also holding meatpackers accountable by revitalizing the Packers and Stockyards Act, issuing new rules on “Product of USA” labels, and developing plans to expand farmers’ access to new markets. . . . This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the food system so it is more resilient to shocks, delivers greater value to growers and workers, and offers consumers an affordable selection of healthy food produced and sourced locally and regionally by farmers and processors from diverse backgrounds.]

FSIS

Constituent Update – July 9, 2021

AMS

New USDA Grading Dashboard Expands Access to Data

GAO

Priority Open Recommendations on U.S. Department of Agriculture

Twitter

@US_FDA

Systems recognition assessments focus not only on the ability of food safety systems to help ensure food safety, but also on the ability of food safety authorities to identify, address and contain issues and outbreaks that may arise.
FDA uses these assessments to help ensure that consumers are confident that their food is safe, whether produced in the U.S. or elsewhere.

@DrWoodcockFDA

Ensuring the safety of food imported into the U.S. is an FDA priority. A Systems Recognition Arrangement (SRA) between the @US_FDA and a foreign regulatory counterpart like we have with Australia, Canada, and New Zealand contributes to a safer global food supply.

@FrankYiannasFDA

Today, FDA released draft guidance that addresses its oversight of foods imported from countries covered by a Systems Recognition Arrangement, specifically adjustments to inspections, screening and sampling. https://go.usa.gov/x6zsC
This guidance advances our New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative and reflects FDA’s larger effort to take a risk-based approach to food safety, consistent with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
We will be able to leverage regulatory partners’ food safety systems, reallocate resources in a more risk-based manner and improve and expand information sharing on food safety issues that would benefit U.S. consumers and the global food supply.

@SecVilsack

To shift the balance of power back to the people, USDA will invest in building more, better, and fairer markets for producers and consumers alike. https://usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/07/09/usda-announces-500-million-expanded-meat-poultry-processing
The time is now to protect small and independent farmers and ranchers from excessive concentration and unfair practices.

@TheJusticeDept

Justice Department Issues Statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Efforts to Invest in Competition in the Meatpacking Industry https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-issues-statement-us-department-agriculture-s-efforts-invest-competition

July 14, 2021

Federal Register

Agricultural Marketing Service

Rules

Increased Assessment Rate:

Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California