As we have previously reported, in September 2020, Mexico and Canada signed a Statement of Intent (SOI), which expanded the countries’ partnership in dealing with food safety issues. Among other things, the 2020 SOI expanded the partnership to include all foods traded between the countries and encouraged the development and use of new technologies to improve food safety.

On August 20, 2021, FDA and its regulatory counterparts in Mexico (Cofepris and SENASICA) held the first Food Partnership Annual meeting in which they discussed the accomplishments and goals of the partnership. The discussion was summarized in a recent press release by Frank Yiannis, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response. (See also Constituent Update)

Specifically, Mr. Yiannis stated that the agencies were continuing to work on four strategic priorities: (1) foodborne illness prevention, (2) enhanced coordination for outbreak response, (3) regulatory laboratory coordination, and (4) food safety training opportunities for industry. The agencies’ efforts included sharing analytical methods and laboratory protocols to improve detection and reduce exposure to food illness pathogens, sharing outbreak data to improve outbreak response communications, and working to revise a coordinated outbreak response protocol. Mr. Yiannis also announced progress in training industry on best agricultural practices, including the training of 90% of the Mexican papaya industry on papaya growing best practices.

Keller and Heckman will continue to monitor and report on developments in the regulation of food safety.