The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly considering a major shift in its food safety strategy—potentially ending most routine food inspections and handing those duties to state and local agencies, according to CBS News.
While the FDA denies plans to suspend inspections, multiple federal health officials say the agency is drafting a reorganization plan that would outsource routine inspections to free up resources for higher-risk and international oversight. The proposal would still require congressional action and funding.
The FDA already contracts with 43 states and Puerto Rico to handle some food inspections. Supporters argue states can inspect at a lower cost while meeting federal standards. Critics, however, worry the shift could weaken food safety, especially in states without current contracts, like Hawaii and Delaware.
“Any plans to replace federal food inspectors with some other workforce deserves suspicion,” said Thomas Gremillion of the Consumer Federation of America.
The move comes as the FDA grapples with overseas backlogs, staff layoffs, and a need to prioritize its limited resources. Commissioner Marty Makary has approved hiring contractors to offset the staffing cuts.
While routine inspections may shift to the states, higher-risk sites—like infant formula manufacturers and foreign facilities—would likely remain under FDA oversight.
The plan echoes similar models, like the FDA’s produce program and how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rely on states for facility inspections.
For now, the agency says it’s committed to maintaining food safety operations while considering how to adapt for the future.
