Who Oversees Food Safety in the U.S.?
Food safety in the U.S. is shared between two major federal agencies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for about 80% of the country’s food supply. This includes everything from packaged snacks and produce to baby food and food additives. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) handles the remaining 20%, focusing mostly on animal-based products like meat, poultry, and eggs.
While these agencies set safety standards, the actual job of keeping food safe often falls on the producers and companies themselves. Meat producers, for example, must have USDA inspectors on site, while other food companies carry out their own internal safety checks. The FDA does conduct facility inspections, but these are done periodically. When there’s a problem, it often takes cooperation between the FDA, state agencies, and the CDC to investigate.
What Happens During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak?
Foodborne illnesses often begin with symptoms like nausea or stomach cramps. While some people recover without seeing a doctor, others end up visiting hospitals. In those cases, healthcare professionals might collect samples to test for specific foodborne pathogens. This testing helps trace the root cause of the illness.
Contamination can occur in many ways—like when lettuce is grown near livestock and exposed to manure, or when factory equipment sheds plastic or wood into the food. Sometimes, incorrect or missing allergen labels cause serious reactions. Once state health departments see a pattern of illness, they often notify the CDC. The CDC then checks if other states are reporting similar cases and helps coordinate a broader investigation.
Why Don’t Companies Face Criminal Charges More Often?
Despite the serious health risks involved, companies are rarely prosecuted over food safety failures. One reason is that proving criminal wrongdoing in these cases can be difficult. Still, companies are aware of the reputational damage an outbreak can cause and try to avoid problems whenever possible.
According to food safety experts, the fear of public backlash often does more to ensure food quality than the legal system does. Consumers tend to hold companies accountable more quickly than courts can. However, without strong legal consequences, there’s less of a deterrent for companies that might cut corners to save costs.
How Did the Trump Administration Change Enforcement?
The Department of Health and Human Services—which oversees both the CDC and FDA—has seen a loss of approximately 20,000 employees as a result of budget cuts made during the Trump administration.
These reductions led to the suspension of multiple FDA food safety assurance initiatives, including quality-control programs for Grade A milk, spinach, and other vegetables, as well as efforts to enhance testing for bird flu in aged cheese and pet food.
On May 6, the FDA reversed some of the staff terminations related to food safety, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, the USDA eliminated two food safety advisory committees and withdrew a proposed regulation intended to lower the risk of Salmonella in poultry products.
Experts note that the full consequences of these cuts may not yet be visible.
Are Everyday Foods Like Milk Still Safe?
So far, there’s been no evidence that food safety standards for milk have declined as a result of the Trump administration’s budget cuts.
According to Nicole Martin, assistant research professor and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program at Cornell University, the dairy industry benefits from robust state-level inspection systems that uphold strong safety standards.
However, Martin noted that not all food categories benefit from such thorough oversight, and federal regulators play a vital role in ensuring consistent food quality across the country.
Why FDA Oversight Still Matters
Federal oversight plays a critical role in keeping the entire U.S. food system running smoothly. The FDA not only checks facilities, but also trains local inspectors, runs surveillance networks, and coordinates rapid responses to emerging threats. These are tasks state and local agencies often aren’t equipped to handle alone.
When FDA staff can’t travel or conduct on-site audits—as is now happening in some areas—states are left without essential guidance. This can slow down inspections, delay outbreak investigations, and reduce confidence in food safety systems overall. Experts worry that these gaps will only grow if federal staffing and funding continue to decline.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of These Cuts?
So far, the effects of the budget cuts may not seem dramatic, but experts warn they could build up over time. As one food scientist put it, “the bus hasn’t crashed yet, but the wheels are coming off.” This paints a troubling picture: the system is still moving, but it’s becoming more fragile every day.
As experienced staff leave or are reassigned, knowledge gaps widen. Suspended programs may not be reinstated quickly—if at all. Without careful monitoring and quick response systems, the country could see more outbreaks and slower reactions. In the long run, this could affect both public health and consumer trust.
What Can Consumers Do to Stay Safe?
While most of the system still functions, consumers should take steps to protect themselves. Washing produce, cooking meats thoroughly, and checking expiration dates are all helpful practices. People with food allergies should remain especially cautious, as labeling errors can still occur.
It’s also smart to stay informed about food recalls and outbreaks. Websites like the FDA’s recall database and the CDC’s outbreak tracker provide real-time updates. Until national oversight is fully restored and strengthened, individual awareness remains an important layer of protection.
