FDA Signs Cooperation Agreement With Mexican Government
The Food and Drug Administration on July 24 signed a statement of intent with its regulatory counterparts in Mexico to cooperate more closely on produce safety efforts, said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael Taylor in a blog post. The two-page document sets out a strategy to work with Mexico to identify practices to prevent contamination during the growing, harvesting, packing, holding and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as verification measures to ensure prevention is working, said Taylor. It also provides for the exchange of information between the two countries, enhanced collaboration on traceback activities, and the development of education and outreach materials to help companies comply with produce safety standards, he said.
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Meanwhile, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said she is currently on her first visit to Mexico in her current role, in a blog post also posted July 24 (here). Nearly one-third of the FDA-regulated food products consumed in the U.S. come from Mexico, she said.