Farm linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak hadn't been inspected in 7 years as FDA lags on foreign inspection targets

TL;DR

The FDA conducted just under 1,000 foreign food safety inspections in 2025, far below the congressional mandate.
A farm linked to a cyclospora outbreak had not been inspected by the FDA for seven years prior to the outbreak.
The FDA has not met even 10% of the foreign inspection mandate in the 10 years since the law was enacted.
The agency considers the mandate unrealistic but has not requested a revision from Congress.
Foreign food safety inspections have decreased by 29% from 2024, with last year's count being the lowest since 2011.
Approximately one-third of FDA foreign inspections over the past decade found violations.
Budgetary constraints and layoffs have impacted the FDA's inspection capabilities.
The FDA employs a risk-based model for inspections and also uses algorithms for screening imports at ports of entry.
Meeting the existing congressional mandate would cost approximately $743 million annually, over 10% of the FDA's total budget.
The FDA faces challenges in retaining inspectors and has not been able to reach the staffing levels directed by Congress.

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