U.S. begins new food safety program

Three U.S. federal entities are coming together to launch the Food Safety for Food Security Partnership, also known as FS4FS.

“Strong food safety delivered through policies and institutions, as well as farmer, consumer, and industry readiness, are critical to transforming agri-food systems,” said USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley.

The Foreign Agricultural Service is working with its parent agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration on the project. The work includes a five-year commitment of $15 million to support the availability and trade of safe food.

In addition to helping to ensure the trade of safe food, the program seeks to reduce foodborne illnesses, poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries.

“Through the new Food Safety for Food Security partnership, we will build on Feed the Future’s successes and work with countries around the world to increase access to safe and nutritious foods and unlock trade opportunities,” said USAID Bureau of Resilience and Food Security Acting Assistant to the Administrator Dina Esposito.

To improve food safety and security, FS4FS is designed to support the development of sanitary and phytosanitary systems in Feed the Future countries. Through the partnership, longstanding barriers to participation in the food system will be addressed through capacity building, according to a USDA statement.

With a capital investment of $15 million, the partnership will provide technical assistance, knowledge management, and digital tools to strengthen the policy and regulatory environments in participating countries. The collective efforts will help achieve global food security goals by decreasing foodborne illnesses and reducing trade suppression.

“During the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, many African heads of state reached out to USDA for help in developing science- and risk-based measures and standards to ensure the supply and safety of their countries’ food,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Whitley.

“Through the Food Safety for Food Security Partnership, we will work together to address these needs, which are vital to ensuring greater access to safe and nutritious food across Africa.”

For additional information on the Food Safety for Food Security Partnership, visit https://fas.usda.gov/programs/food-safety-food-security-partnership.