The rash of food recalls involving imported products and/or ingredients could lead to changes in both the regulation and use of these items. The federal Interagency Working Group on Import is convening a public meeting in Washington to address these issues. The session will identify and recommend actions that government, industry and consumers involved in the production, distribution, regulation and use of imported products can take to promote the safety of imported food products.

The Working Group is chaired by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Michael O. Leavitt and includes officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of Treasury, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission.