Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Cooperative Human Food Programs
Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) Programs and Initiatives
An Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) provides the vision, guiding principles and key components of a coordinated approach to food safety. An IFSS describes the continual improvements and collaborative activities of food safety that will be addressed through the implementation of a collection of initiatives, programs and projects.
An IFSS includes the implementation of seamless partnerships and operations among federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies as well as academic, foreign, industry and consumer stakeholders (strategic partners) to achieve the public health mission of realizing a safer food supply. The IFSS encourages interactions and collaborations with strategic partners, as their input and the lessons learned are critical to the advancement of this mission.
State Cooperative Programs
The State Cooperative Programs are composed of three separate food safety programs:
- the Grade “A” Milk Safety Program
- the National Shellfish Sanitation Program,
- and the 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).
Milk Safety Programs & Shippers List
Shellfish Programs & Shippers List