Selected Federal Agencies

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA is charged with protecting consumers against impure, unsafe, and fraudulently labeled products. FDA, through its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), regulates foods other than the meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by FSIS. FDA is also responsible for the safety of drugs, medical devices, biologics, animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, and radiation emitting devices.

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC leads federal efforts to gather data on foodborne illnesses, investigate foodborne illnesses and outbreaks, and monitor the effectiveness of prevention and control efforts in reducing foodborne illnesses. CDC also plays a key role in building state and local health department epidemiology, laboratory, and environmental health capacity to support foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak response.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA works for a cleaner, healthier environment. EPA's mission includes protecting public health and the environment from risks posed by pesticides and promoting safer means of pest management.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

FSIS works with agencies in the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that FSIS is able to respond quickly and effectively to an attack on the food supply, major disease outbreak, or other disaster affecting the national food infrastructure.

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

APHIS' primary role in the U.S. food safety network of agencies is to protect against plant and animal pests and diseases. APHIS also administers the Animal Welfare Act and carries out wildlife damage management activities.

• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

As the agency responsible for administering the nutrition assistance programs of USDA, the Food and Nutrition Service provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. Food safety and security is an important aspect of the USDA nutrition assistance programs.

• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
• ChooseMyPlate.gov

National Agricultural Library (NAL)

NAL is the U.S. center for the international agricultural information system, coordinating and sharing resources and enhancing global access to agricultural data.

• National Agricultural Library (NAL)
• Nutrition.gov
• Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
• Food Safety Research Information Office

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

NIFA's unique mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. (NIFA is the former Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES).)

• National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
• Food Science is one of the National Emphasis Areas for NIFA.

Partnerships

Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE)

The Partnership unites consumer groups, professional societies in food science, nutrition, and health; industry associations, and the U.S. government to educate the public about safe food handling and preparation. FSIS is a Federal government liaison to the Partnership.

• Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE)