Inspections

USDA Proposes Revising the Section 8e Import Inspection Fee Structure for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and other Products

June 23, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing revisions to the regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products. These proposed changes include a per-pound fee structure for certain Section 8e import inspections, a minimum fee equivalent to a 2-hour charge computed at the current established hourly rate, whichever is greater, and a 50 percent reduction to the sublot fee. …

FDA Focuses on Safety of Regulated Products While Scaling Back Domestic Inspections

March 20, 2020 FDA

“In keeping with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and cross-government guidance, this week we directed all eligible FDA employees to begin teleworking. While this does not apply to those carrying out non-portable activities, such as certain lab activities or the monitoring of imported products, we will continue to adjust our approach to a number of activities, including facility inspections for all FDA-regulated products such as food, animal feed, drugs, biological products, devices and tobacco.” …

Pork Industry to Gain Power Over Inspections

April 4, 2019 KIMBERLY KINDY, Washington Post

The Trump administration plans to shift much of the power and responsibility for food safety inspections in hog plants to the pork industry as early as May, cutting the number of federal inspectors by about 40% and replacing them with plant employees. …