Inspections of Foreign Food At All-Time Low: Report

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections of foreign food facilities have dropped to their lowest point in over a decade, with a significant decrease observed throughout 2025. Data indicates that foreign inspections fell by nearly 30 percent as of July 2025 compared to similar periods in the preceding two years, and by almost half in March 2025 compared to the monthly average. This decline is attributed by current and former FDA officials to extensive staffing and support cuts implemented under the Trump administration, which affected various government departments including the FDA. These cuts, including layoffs and program pauses, have raised concerns among food safety experts and advocates, especially given the U.S. reliance on imported foods, which constitute the majority of seafood and over half of fresh fruit consumed domestically. The reduction in oversight comes at a time when imported food products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness. For instance, a recent outbreak connected to various meal products has resulted in 27 confirmed illnesses and six deaths across 18 states. In-person inspections are considered crucial for identifying unsafe practices and data discrepancies that cannot be detected through documen... download the app to read more