Washington – A nationwide cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce has shone a spotlight on the Food and Drug Administration’s shrinking foreign‑inspection program. FDA records show foreign site inspections are down almost 35% since 2019, the year before the COVID‑19 pandemic, and fell another 17% in fiscal year 2025.
Administration’s response
President Trump’s administration has quickly moved to address the shortfall. Officials announced a pilot program that would conduct one‑day inspections at high‑risk overseas facilities, allowing the agency to cover more sites with its limited staff. Michael Rogers, a veteran of 35 years with the FDA, praised the effort, saying the agency “does many things very well with limited resources” and that the new approach is intended to “stretch agency resources” while still safeguarding the food supply.
Why inspections matter
Congressional law requires the FDA to inspect more than 19,000 international food sites each year, yet the agency has never reached that target. In 2019 the agency performed a high‑water mark of 1,700 foreign inspections – less than one‑tenth of the statutory goal. The Government Accountability Office notes the target has been unachievable without additional funding, and the agency’s food‑inspection workforce remains chronically understaffed, with 10‑15% of positions vacant.
Critics and challenges
Former senior FDA officials and industry observers warn that one‑day inspections cannot replace the thorough, week‑long reviews that traditionally uncover serious hazards. Rogers himself acknowledged the abbreviated visits are “not equivalent to traditional ones.” Susan Mayne, former FDA food director now at Yale University, emphasized that inspections are only one tool among border checks, importer inspections, sampling and other methods.
Critics also point to logistical hurdles. After a July recall of Taylor Farms lettuce, FDA inspectors took a month to reach the farm in Guanajuato, Mexico – their first visit since 2019. The delay, noted former top FDA food‑safety official Frank Yiannas, “took us too long to get boots on the ground,” highlighting the strain on inspectors who now must arrange their own travel and lodging after staff cuts eliminated many travel‑booking positions.
Outbreak impact
The cyclospora outbreak, which has sickened dozens across the United States, underscores the stakes. While a faulty test result was retracted, FDA officials remain confident the Mexican farm is the source. Mexican authorities, however, have reported no positive samples, illustrating the difficulty of pinpointing contamination across borders.
Looking ahead
Beyond the pilot, the administration is exploring modern tools such as machine‑learning analytics and remote monitoring of supplier practices to reduce reliance on in‑person inspections. Yiannas argues that “we have to rethink how we oversee the safety of foreign producers,” suggesting technology could help bridge the inspection gap.
Meanwhile, the FDA continues to track the number of foreign inspections needed each year to ensure oversight comparable to domestic food safety standards. The agency’s ongoing investigation into the cyclospora outbreak remains active, with the Department of Health and Human Services overseeing the effort.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
