The FDA Is Finally Ensuring Imported Food Is Safe With New Rules

The FDA has announced new standards for imported goods to ensure that they are free of contamination.

The Food Safety Modernization Act will prevent imported goods from being tainted with bacteria or other unsanitary contaminants during transportation. We have previously reported that the FDA does not inspect 98 percent of imported food products, so this is a step in the right direction.

"Consumers deserve a safe food supply and this final rule will help to ensure that all those involved in the farm-to-fork continuum are doing their part to ensure that the food products that arrive in our grocery stores are safe to eat," FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine Michael Taylor said in a statement.

The new rule applies to all motor or rail vehicles, shippers, loaders, and carriers transporting food imported by motor or rail vehicles.

The first few rules, as part of the new Food Safety Modernization Act, were all focused on food processing and storage facilities. While the final rules, passed this week, aim to protect food against intentional adulteration. The entire act is intended to stop outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, rather than deal with the consequences following an issue.