Government Agencies and Food Safety
There are a number of government and international agencies that play a role in the very complicated process of keeping our food safe to eat. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays an important role in maintaining the overall chain of food safety. The ARS is the chief agency that … Keep Reading → sets the standards for researching methods of keeping foods safe. The ARS conducts extensive research to monitor existing issues of food safety as well as develop new and more efficient ways of reducing or eliminating food contamination. This includes contamination both at the production level as well as those that develop over time. The ARS coordinates with local, national, and international bodies to establish best practices for food safety. Another agency that plays an important role is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC has extensive public outreach programs encouraging best practices for keeping and maintaining food safety. They also play a vital role in communicating any outbreaks of dangerous foodborne illnesses. On the international level the United Nations helps works with nations all over the world to set standards for food safety.
