In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to increase the number of inspections carried out on foreign produce suppliers next year, with the total set to rise from 200 to 650 in 2010.
The plan was outlined by Roberta Wagner of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, who told the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference that foreign inspections of higher-risk FDA regulated food would also increase.
According to The Packer, Ms Wagner told Conference attendees that the top 10 exporting countries will have around 20 produce inspections per nation, with the results of those inspections passed on to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Exporters with safe and proper facilities could see streamlined entry procedures put in place, while those with inadequate safety systems will be required to undergo increased testing and detention of product.
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