United States, Mexico Sign Food Safety Agreement
The partnership will promote the safety of fresh and minimally processed agricultural products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Mexico's National Service for Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) and Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) signed a statement of intent forming a partnership to promote the safety of fresh and minimally processed agricultural products. FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., traveled to Mexico with other FDA officials to conduct a series of meetings with their Mexican regulatory counterparts as part of their work to strengthen cooperation for produce safety.
"To be successful as regulators, the FDA must continue developing new strategies and partnerships that allow us to be more comprehensively and collectively respond to the challenges that come with globalization," said Hamburg. "The FDA is working with our Mexican government counterparts, as well as stakeholders from industry, commerce, agriculture, and academia, to ensure the safety of products for American and Mexican consumers."
The United States and Mexico have established formal arrangements designed to improve information sharing on emerging food safety issues and to work more collaboratively when addressing product safety issues that may impact American and Mexican consumers.
"This collaboration is a priority for public health," Federal Commissioner of the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) Mikel Arriola Penalosa said in a statement. "The partnership will focus on implementing preventative practices and food verification measures that meet the guidelines and best international practices for produce safety."