Mexico is the leading exporter of human foods to the US, and these foods imported into the United States from Mexico must be produced consistent with U.S. standards, and the Food and Drug Administration works closely with Mexican government regulators to help ensure these foods are safe and fit for U.S. consumption.
To support this regulatory work, and to help facilitate communication with its Mexican counterparts, the FDA, through its Office of International Programs, (OIP) established a local office in Mexico City in 2010. The Mexico office is part of the agency’s Latin America Regional Office (LAO). FDA also has offices in other parts of the world, including China, India, and Europe.
Supporting Safety Efforts
Mexico is one of the United States’ foremost trading partners: the U.S. exports to Mexico such food products as primary grains and proteins (including chicken and pork), while importing vast quantities of Mexican fruit and vegetables. Working with Mexico on food safety is therefore a top priority. The United States is implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and produce safety is a big part of that effort. Food safety modernization efforts also are under way in Mexico, so there is an excellent opportunity for progress on both sides of the border.Fittingly, the Latin American Office in Mexico focuses primarily on protecting the safety of food and animal feed, as well as medical product safety.
Recently, the office helped to facilitate communications surrounding the first official trip of FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., to Mexico. She and other FDA leaders—including Michael R. Taylor, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine—participated in a series of meetings with officials of the Mexican government and industry in order to strengthen the agency’s cooperation with its regulatory counterparts.
The Commissioner also signed a Statement of Intent announcing the FDA-Mexico Produce Safety Partnership, which focuses on preventive practices and verification measures supporting compliance with produce safety standards, guidelines and best practices. With this new partnership in place, FDA expects to help improve the safety of fruits and vegetables for consumers on both sides of the border.
“The process of importation is complicated,” Ross explains. “There’s a huge volume of trade between Mexico and the United States in general—not just for FDA-regulated products—and it’s been growing rapidly and substantively since the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 20 years ago.”
Ross and his staff continue to make strides in improving communication between FDA and its Mexican counterparts. “Our goal right now is to make sure the Mexican authorities are aware of changes implemented under FSMA, and that we are aware of their food safety law amendments. Our presence in Mexico enables us to talk regularly and frequently with our counterparts and stakeholders about key issues related to the products FDA regulates,” he says.
“This communication helps us respond quickly and collaboratively when issues are identified, supporting FDA’s mission to protect and promote the public health,” Ross notes. “In addition, these efforts have resulted in the Mexican government pursuing regulatory actions against its own domestic products based on information we provided.”
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