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U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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  2. For Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Officials
  3. State Cooperative Programs
  1. For Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Officials

State Cooperative Programs

The State Cooperative Programs are composed of three separate food safety programs: 

Grade “A” Milk Safety Program

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Retail Food Protection Program

State, local, tribal, and territorial regulatory agencies have primary responsibility for: illness surveillance; response to outbreaks; regulation of Grade “A” milk plants and farms; molluscan shellfish growing waters and processing, as well as retail and foodservice establishments. FDA provides technical support, guidance, training, and standardization to assist our regulatory partners with reducing foodborne illness associated with these commodities. In support of these programs, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed between FDA and the Interstate Milk Shippers Conference, the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, and the Conference for Food Protection. The authority for these programs is provided in the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 243). Section 311(a). 



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