There are a number of other agencies that are directly or indirectly tied to direct marketing of
meat and poultry.60
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) licenses all pesticide products distributed in the
United States and sets standards on the amount of pesticides that may remain on food. The 1996
Food Quality Protection Act requires the EPA to consider the public’s overall exposure to
pesticides (through food, water, and in home environments) when setting the standard for
pesticide use on food. EPA is also responsible for protecting against other environmental,
chemical, and microbial contaminants in air and water that might threaten the safety of the food
supply.
The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) conducts a voluntary seafood inspection and
grading program that checks mainly for quality. Seafood is the only major food source that is
both “caught in the wild” and raised domestically. Quality and safety standards vary widely from
country to country and inspection of processing is a challenge because much of it takes place at
sea. Mandatory regulation of seafood processing is under FDA and applies to exporters, all
foreign processors that export to the United States and importers.
Other Agencies that oversee the USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs include: The
Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA.
Food safety issues are generally supported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and
Prevention under the Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC engages in
surveillance and investigation of illnesses associated with food consumption in support of the
USDA and FDA regulatory missions.
The Federal Trade Commission, through regulations of food advertising, plays an indirect role
in food safety regulations. The Department’s Customs Service assists other agencies in ensuring
the safety and quality of imported foods through such services as collecting samples.
