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Contents
SUBCHAPTER 310 - FEDERAL AGENCY INTERACTION
311 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
311.01 - Foods Rejected by USDA
311.02 - USDA Complaints
311.03 - USDA Acts
311.04 - FDA-USDA Agreements & MOUs
311.05 - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)/USDA (MOU's)
311.06 - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service/USDA (APHIS)
311.07 - Federal Grain Inspection Service/USDA (FGIS)
311.08 - Food Safety and Inspection Service/USDA (FSIS)
311.09 - Science and Education Administration/USDA (SEA)
312 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)
312.01 - Commerce (DOC)
312.02 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
312.03 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USP&TO;)(DOC)
313 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)
313.01 - DOD MOU's
313.02 - US Army Corps of Engineers (DOD)
313.03 - US Army Medical Research and Development Command (DOD)
313.04 - Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC)
313.05 - Department of Navy/Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
314 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
314.01 - HHS MOU's
314.02 - Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF)
314.03 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
314.04 - Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
314.05 - Health Services Administration (HSA)
314.06 - National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
314.07 - National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
314.08 - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
315 - DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
315.01 - U.S. Attorney
315.02 - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) (Formerly: Bureau of Narcotics)
315.03 - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
SUBCHAPTER 310 - FEDERAL AGENCY INTERACTION
This subchapter deals with the interaction of the FDA with other federal agencies.
This interaction will be discussed below. Each agency with which FDA has agreements
or an MOU is listed separately. Information regarding MOU's and other interactions
are discussed as appropriate. Information about the complete MOU or agreement
can be found in the appropriate Cooperative Agreements Manual. Listings of
all Liaison Officers are included below.
311 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
See IOM
303 for procedures to be followed when making inspections of firms under
USDA inspection or subject to inspection by USDA.
311.01 - Foods Rejected by USDA
All procurement and processing contracts administered by USDA for edible food
products require compliance with FDA regulations. The USDA routinely reports
to the FDA its findings on lots of flour, cereal, or other products which have
been rejected for acceptance into USDA-sponsored programs, based on FDA guidelines.
This notification of rejection is routinely furnished to the involved district
office. When a district office receives such notification it will determine
appropriate follow-up by evaluating the reason for rejection, current priority
assignments, and workload.
Samples should not be routinely collected from the USDA rejected material.
If a follow-up inspection is made the district will then determine the need
for samples or additional action.
311.02 - USDA Complaints
Whenever a complaint is received involving any meat-containing product, including
such items as soups, combination infant foods, frozen dinners, etc., evaluate
the need to contact USDA. Most products containing red meat or poultry are
regulated by USDA. The exceptions include: (1) products containing meat from
game animals, such as venison, rabbits, etc., (2) meat-flavored instant noodles,
and (3) the product "pork and beans" which contain only a small amount of pork
fat and for historic reasons is regulated by FDA.
Determine from the consumer whether there is a round "shield" on the label
with the USDA establishment number. Alternatively, the establishment number
may be identified in the lot number. Red meat products under USDA jurisdiction
will often contain the abbreviation "EST" followed by a one to four digit number;
poultry products under USDA jurisdiction will contain the letter "P" followed
by a number.
FDA reports suspected outbreaks to USDA & CDC. In addition, FDA and CDC
have an agreement that FDA will be immediately advised whenever CDC ships botulism
antitoxin anywhere in the United States or its possessions. See IOM
314.03 regarding interaction with CDC.
USDA and FDA have an agreement whereby FDA informs a designated USDA Compliance
and Evaluation Area Office about any foodborne disease where a meat or poultry
product is suspected. Conversely, USDA will alert the FDA district office on
suspected products subject to FDA jurisdiction. In order for your district
to alert USDA promptly, check with your supervisor immediately if meat or poultry
products are involved in an outbreak you are investigating or which comes to
your attention.
311.03 - USDA Acts
This is a listing of various USDA Acts under which FDA has been delegated
detention authorities for products subject to USDA inspection. See IOM
750 for additional information. See IOM
Exhibit 311 for a chart depicting jurisdictional lines for products regulated
by FDA and USDA.
Federal Meat Inspection Act (MIA) - Sections 402 and 409(b) of the Federal
Meat Inspection Act (MIA) provide FDA representatives may detain meat products
subject to the MIA found outside an inspected plant, if they have reason to
believe the products are adulterated or misbranded under the FD&C Act.
Detention may not exceed twenty (20) days and the items detained shall not
be moved by any person from the place of detention until released by the FDA
representative.
Poultry Products Inspection Act PPIA - Sections 19 & 24(b) of the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (PPIA) provide that FDA representatives may detain
poultry products subject to the PPIA found outside an inspected plant, if they
have reason to believe the products are adulterated or misbranded under the
FD&C Act. Detention may not exceed twenty (20) days and the items detained
shall not be moved from the place of detention until released by the FDA representative.
Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) - Sections 19 & 23(d) of the Egg Products
Inspection Act (EPIA) provide FDA representatives may detain egg products subject
to the EPIA found outside an inspected plant, if they have reason to believe
the products are in violation of the EPI Act. Detention may not exceed twenty
(20) days and the items detained shall not be moved from the place of detention
until released by the FDA representative.
311.04 - FDA-USDA Agreements & MOUs
MOU's and Agreements with USDA and its various units will be listed and
in some cases described below. This first subsection covers MOU's with
the USDA, USDA/other agency, and FDA. The following subsections provide information
about MOU's with other USDA units.
MOU with:
- US Department of Commerce and USDA Concerning Inspection of Industrial
Fishery Products Intended For Animal 315 Feed Use.
- USDA, NIH Regarding Importation of Biological Specimens Under US/USSR Scientific
Exchange Agreement.
- USDA Concerning Public Education in the Basics of Food Safety, Nutrition,
and Veterinary Medicine.
- USDA Concerning Sampling & Aflatoxin Testing of Imported Pistachios
or Peanuts.
Importers of pistachio nuts voluntarily offer to USDA inspectors before introducing
them into U.S. commerce. USDA is responsible for sampling and testing each
lot for aflatoxin, in accordance with procedures prescribed by FDA, and for
issuing an analysis certificate for each lot. The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) will forward a copy of each certificate to the appropriate
FDA District office.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Office of Compliance, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-600 (301-436-2359).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief of Technologies Services Branch, Science
Division, AMS (202-690-4025).
- USDA and DHHS Regarding General War Food Inspection.
Staff units and officials of USDA and FDA shall confer on matters of joint
concern. In an immediate post-attack period USDA food inspectors or designated
FDA Inspectors may act to inspect and approve foods meeting emergency standards
for safety. DHHS/FDA will provide appropriate guidelines for use by USDA
personnel in assuring compliance for food inspection in the emergency period.
The emergency liaison officers appointed by each agency may be assigned
to the other agency's headquarters emergency relocation sites for the
purpose of coordinating food inspection services.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Emergency Operations Center, HFC-160,
(301-827-5655).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Emergency Response Division, Food
Safety and Inspection Service (202-501-7515)
- USDA Regarding the Reduction of Salmonella enteritidis (S.E.) Infection
of Humans.
311.05 - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)/USDA (MOU's)
MOU with:
- AMS Concerning the Inspection and Grading of Food Products.
This MOU has extensive separation of duties between AMS and FDA.
Both agencies agree to maintain a close working relationship, in the field
as well as headquarters. Both agencies will work with industry toward greater
efficiency connected with improvement of coding methods. Each agency will
designate a central contact point to which communications dealing with this
agreement or other issues may be referred to for attention.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Office of Compliance, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-600 (301-436-2359)
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief of Technologies Services Branch, Science
Division, AMS (202-690-4025).
- AMS Regarding the Egg Products Inspection Act. FDA has exclusive jurisdiction
over restaurants, institutions, food manufacturing plants, and other similar
establishments, that break and serve eggs or use them in their products.
AMS shall notify FDA whenever it has reason to believe that shell eggs or
egg products have been shipped in commerce in violation of the act to a receiver
for which FDA has exclusive jurisdiction, and notify FDA when applications
are made to import shell eggs into the U.S.
FDA will notify AMS so that they can check on the seller of any restricted
eggs when it is determined that more restricted eggs than are allowed in
U.S. Consumer Grade B. are encountered. FDA will also notify AMS of any unwholesome
egg products it encounters, including imported shell eggs which contain restricted
eggs not in accordance with USDA regulations and labeling requirements.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Emergency Operations Center, HFC-160,
(301-827-5653).
The FDA Liaison Officer for imported shell eggs is the Branch Chief, Import
Branch, Division of Enforcement, Office of Compliance, Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition, HFS-606 (301-436-2413).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Deputy Administrator, Poultry Program, Agricultural
Marketing Service (202-720-4476).
- AMS Concerning Imported Dates and Date Material.
FDA inspects samples and examines imported dates and date products intended
for processing to determine whether they are in compliance with the statute.
AMS, upon request, will provide FDA with a copy of each examination report
which will contain information such as that in the FDA Technical Bulletin
Number 5, Microanalytical Procedures Manual.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Division of Natural Products, Microanalytical
Branch, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-315 (301-436-2401).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief, Processed Products Branch, Fruit & Vegetable
Division, Agricultural Marketing Service (202-720-4693).
- AMS Concerning Cooperative Efforts for Inspection, Sampling, and Examination
of Imported Raisins.
AMS evaluates raisins for grade condition requirements and at the time and
place of entry all lots of imported raisins. Upon completion of the examination,
AMS promptly notifies the appropriate FDA District Office of any lots found
not to meet minimum acceptance criteria because of insect infestation, filth,
etc., and any questionable cases regarding the laboratory examination results.
At the end of the season, the AMS provides FDA with a copy of each examination
report.
FDA accepts, unless it notifies USDA to the contrary, AMS findings on any
lot of raisins sampled and inspected by them. FDA will detain any lots of
raisins rejected by USDA because they contain insect infestation, etc. See
the cooperative agreement manual for details of responsibilities.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Division of Natural Products, Microanalytical
Branch, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-315 (301-436-2401)
.
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief, Processed Products Branch, Fruit & Vegetable
Division, Agricultural Marketing Service (202-720-4693).
- AMS Regarding Aflatoxin Testing Program for In-Shell Brazil Nuts.
Importers of Brazil Nuts voluntarily offer for USDA inspections before introducing
them into U.S. commerce. USDA is responsible for sampling and testing each
lot for aflatoxin in accordance with procedures prescribed by FDA and for
issuing an analysis certificate for each lot. The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) will forward a copy of each certificate to the appropriate
FDA District office. FDA accepts the certificate and then allows entry
of the lots into U.S. commerce provided the aflatoxin level does not exceed
the current action level prescribed by FDA.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Office of Compliance, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-600 (301-436-2359).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief of Technologies Services Branch, Science
Division, AMS (202-690-4025).
- AMS Concerning Aflatoxin in Peanuts.
AMS will use FDA administrative guidelines on objective samples to certify
peanuts, recognizing that GMPs remove significant quantities of unfit peanuts
and that levels of aflatoxin are reduced by heating. USDA will provide
FDA with a copy of the analytical certificate and identification of the
applicant on each lot found to exceed 25 ppb of aflatoxin and the analysis
certificate on any lot on request. FDA will routinely confirm chemical
assays in finished product at 20 ppb by bioassay procedures.
FDA will not formally object to the offering of lots of peanuts to processors
where certificates show levels of aflatoxin above 25 ppb but will examine
finished products from such lots. Such lots of raw peanuts may be subject
to appropriate action in cases where there is lack of assurance that the
finished product will comply with current standards.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Office of Compliance, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-600 (301-436-2359).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Chief of Technologies Services Branch, Science
Division, AMS (202-690-4025).
- AMS & FSIS and EPA re: Regulatory Activities Concerning Residues of
Drugs, Pesticides, and Environmental Contaminants in Foods. Parts of this
MOU are discussed below. Information about the complete MOU can be found
in the appropriate Cooperative Agreements Manual. The contact offices are
as follows:
The FDA Liaison Office is the Director, Division of Natural Products, Microanalytical
Branch, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-315 (301-436-2401).
The USDA Liaison Office is the Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection
Service (202-720-7025).
The EPA Liaison Office is the Office of Pesticide Programs, (703-305-7090),
or Health Effects Division, (703-305-7351).
- AMS Concerning Salmonella Inspection and Sampling Coverage of Dry Milk
Plants.
Parts of this MOU are discussed below. Information about the complete MOU
can be found in the appropriate Cooperative Agreements Manual.
USDA has two types of voluntary inspection programs: Plant Inspection Program
for USDA Approved for Grading Services, and their Resident Inspection and
Grading Program.
Plant Inspection Program (PIP). Under the PIP, dry milk plants are surveyed
for approval every three months. This includes a salmonella surveillance
testing of the plant's product and environmental material. Product inspection
and grading is provided on request and dry milk products produced under this
program are eligible to bear the USDA shield.
FDA will accept the AMS Salmonella Surveillance Program results on such plants
and the finished dry milk products after shipment from those plants will
not be sampled by FDA for Salmonella examinations. This does not preclude
FDA sampling dry milk at manufacturing plants using dry milk as an ingredient
as a follow-up to consumer complaints, or where the dry milk may have become
contaminated or adulterated after leaving the dry milk manufacturer's
control. Neither will it preclude FDA inspections of any plant for problems
other than Salmonella whether or not such plant produces dry milk products
under USDA inspection, or the sampling of their products, including dry milk
products, for problems other than Salmonella.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Director, Emergency Operations Center, HFC-160,
(301-827-5655).
The USDA Liaison Office is the Chief, Grading Branch, Dairy Division, Agricultural
Marketing Service, (202-720-3171) or Chief, Standardization Branch, (202-720-7473).
311.06 - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service/USDA (APHIS)
MOU with:
- APHIS Concerning Mutual Responsibilities for Regulating Biological Products.
Referral and exchange information for purposes of investigation and appropriate
legal action. To coordinate investigations and enforcement actions and
to avoid duplication of effort, FDA and USDA agree to provide each other
with any information which may be germane to either agency's enforcement
functions. Information regarding pending investigations and enforcement
actions shall be provided to the liaison officers noted below on a regular
basis.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Director, Office of Surveillance and Compliance,
Center for Veterinary Medicine, HFV-200, (301-827-6647).
The USDA Liaison Office is the Director, Center for Veterinary Biologics,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, (301-734-8245).
- APHIS and NIH Regarding the Care and Welfare of Laboratory Animals.
311.07 - Federal Grain Inspection Service/USDA (FGIS)
MOU with FGIS Concerning Inspection of Grain, Rice, Pulses, and Food Products.
During an FDA inspection of any facility that processes, packs, or holds agricultural
products, the investigator and or inspector will request that the FGIS inspector
or licensee stationed at a facility accompany him/her during the inspection.
The inspector/investigator will request from FGIS any information concerning
quality determinations of specific lots of products against which FDA has taken
or may take action.
FDA will notify FGIS of any details concerning serious objectionable conditions
found by FDA to exist in processing plants, packing plants, grain elevators,
or any other facility where FGIS provides official services.
General matters involving this agreement may be referred to the agencies' liaison
officers.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Director, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and
Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, HFS-300, (301-436-1700)
or Director, Division of Programs and Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition, HFS-305, (301-436-1400).
The USDA Liaison Office is the Director, Field Management Division, Federal
Grain Inspection Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(202-720-0228).
311.08 - Food Safety and Inspection Service/USDA (FSIS)
- FSIS Pertaining to Class I and Class II Recalls of Food Products that
Contain Poultry and/or Meat Products that have been Manufactured in a FSIS
Inspected Establishment;
FDA and FSIS agree that they will keep the customary records and make those
related to the operation of this agreement available to the other agency.
Both agencies will furnish reports of the progress of the work and such other
reports as may be mutually agreed upon from time to time between cooperating
parties.
The FDA Liaison Officer is the Deputy Director, Emergency Operations Center,
HFC-160, (301-827-5660).
The USDA Liaison Officer is the Director, Emergency Planning Office, Food Safety
and Inspection Service (301-504-2121)
- FSIS Concerning Inspection of Food Manufacturing Firms
FDA investigators will attempt to contact any on-site FSIS inspectors when
they arrive at a plant, invite them to participate in the inspection and discuss
with or report any adverse findings involving meat and poultry products to
that inspector prior to leaving the premises.
When report findings are classified "indicated" FDA will provide FSIS
with a copy when the plant is also inspected by FSIS.
If the FDA investigator has found unsanitary conditions or otherwise adulterated
products, the appropriate FSIS office should be informed by telephone unless
the FDA investigator has already reported his findings to the FSIS inspector
at the plant.
To any extent possible, consider information provided by FSIS to minimize duplication
of effort.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Director, Emergency Operations Center, HFC-160,
(301-827-5653)
The USDA Liaison Office is the Deputy Administrator, Field Operations, Food
Safety and Inspection Service (202-720-8803).
- FSIS & AMS and EPA re: Regulatory Activities Concerning Residues of
Drugs, Pesticides, and Environmental Contaminants in Foods.
- FSIS (NE & SE Regional Offices), DE Department of Agriculture, MD Department
of Agriculture, PA Department of Agriculture, VA Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, WV Department of Agriculture Regarding Regulatory
Investigations Involving Drug, Pesticide, and Industrial Chemical Residues
in Animal Feeds and Meat and Poultry.
- FSIS and GA Department of Agriculture Regarding Regulatory Investigations
Involving Drug, Pesticide, and Toxic Chemical Residues in Animal Feeds and
in Meat Tissues.
311.09 - Science and Education Administration/USDA (SEA)
MOU with SEA Concerning Educational Programs in the Use of Animal Drugs.
312 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)
312.01 - Commerce (DOC)
MOU's with DOC and USDA Concerning Inspection of Industrial Fishery Products
Intended for Animal Feed Use.
312.02 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
MOU with:
- NOAA/NMFS Regarding Inspection Programs for Fishery Products - The National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, operating under the authority
of the Agriculture Marketing Act and the Fish & Wildlife Act is responsible
for the development and advancement of commercial grade standards for fishery
products and better health and sanitation standards in the industry and for
furnishing inspection, analytical, and grading services to interested parties.
The major purpose is to encourage and assist industry in improving the quality
and safety of its products. This MOU outlines joint responsibilities between
NOAA and FDA. See IOM
303 for guidance on joint inspections when inspecting firms under the
voluntary NMFS program.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Policy Guidance Branch, Division of Programs
and Enforcement Policy, Office of Seafood, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition, HFS-416 (301-436-1415)
The NMFS Liaison Office is the Seafood Inspection Program, Department of
Commerce, NOAA (301-713-2355).
- NOAA/NMFS Concerning Enforcement of Laws -Against Illegal Commerce in Molluscan
Shellfish.
FDA will support NMFS Lacey Act investigations to the extent that regulatory
authority and resources allow. This may include conducting food sanitation
inspections of suspect shellfish shippers, reviewing interstate shipping
records and obtaining affidavits to the extent possible, collecting and analyzing
shellfish samples to be used as evidence of violations, and removing adulterated
shellfish from the marketplace. Refer to the appropriate Cooperative Agreements
manual for further discussion of this MOU.
The FDA Liaison Office is the Policy Guidance Branch, Division of Programs
and Enforcement Policy, Office of Seafood, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition, HFS-416 (301-436-1415)
The NMFS Liaison Office is the Seafood Inspection Program, Department of
Commerce, NOAA (301-713-2355).
312.03 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USP&TO;)(DOC)
MOU's with:
- USP&TO/DOC Concerning Orphan Drugs.
- USP&TO/DOC to Establish a Product's Eligibility for Patent Term
Restoration.
313 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)
FDA has a number of MOU's with DOD and its various elements.
313.01 - DOD MOU's
- DOD Concerning Licensure of Military Blood Banks.
- DOD Concerning Investigational Use of Drugs, Antibiotics, Biologics, and
Medical Devices by DOD.
FDA also has a number of Interagency Agreements (IAG) with DOD to include
IAG with:
- DOD Concerning FDA Responsibility for Quality Assurance of DOD Procured
Drugs and Biologics.
- DOD Regarding Testing of Tea Purchased by DOD.
- DOD Regarding FDA Quality Assurance Responsibility for DOD Contracts for
Medical Devices.
313.02 - US Army Corps of Engineers (DOD)
MOU with US Army/Corps of Engineers Concerning Consumer Protection During
Natural Disasters.
313.03 - US Army Medical Research and Development Command (DOD)
MOU with U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command Regarding Quality
Assurance Support for Medical Material Having Military Application.
313.04 - Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC)
- MOU with DPSC Concerning Exchange of Information Regarding Food & Cosmetic
Recalls and Hazardous Food Situations.
- The Defense Personnel Support Center purchases vast quantities of foods
and drugs for use by the Armed Forces. The products are purchased on contract
and must meet standards and contract specifications to be accepted. Any products
failing to meet these specifications are rejected. These are mentioned in IOM
313.01 above.
FDA under the Government-Wide Quality Assurance Program (GWQAP) makes
certain inspections and furnishes information as to the capabilities of
firms bidding or desiring to bid on government contracts. In areas involving
GWQAP activities follow the procedures set forth in that activity. Each
district has procedures to be followed in these areas, so when this type
operation is involved, you will be given specific sampling or investigational
assignments by your district.
Samples shall be collected only from those depots and hospitals selected
in advance by the district. DOD Depot and hospital locations must notify
their headquarters prior to releasing their stock. Prior to visiting a
U.S. Government installation to collect samples of foods, drugs, or medical
devices, districts may contact the Division of Compliance Information & Quality
Assurance (DCIQA) (HFC-240) so that the visit can be expedited.
See IOM
407 for information regarding GWQAP samples and IOM
512.04 for information regarding GWQAP FDA 483.
313.05 - Department of Navy/Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
MOU with Dept. the Navy/Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Regarding the Microwave
Oven Survey.
314 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
This Agency has a number of MOU's with the Department and other HHS units.
314.01 - HHS MOU's
MOU with USDA and HHS Regarding General War Food Inspection.
314.02 - Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF)
A MOU with ACYF to Assure the Feeding Programs in Head Start Centers Conform
with Federal Food Safety and Sanitation Responsibilities.
314.03 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
MOU with:
- CDC Concerning In-Vitro Diagnostics.
- CDC Regarding Radiation Emergencies.
- CDC Regarding Exchange of Information and Coordination of Actions.
Additional information is being provided here because of the close working
agreement to assure the prompt exchange of information on suspected foodborne
outbreaks.
Since it is essential that any suspected outbreaks be reported promptly to
CDC, communicate any information you may learn in connection with foodborne
outbreaks to your supervisor as soon as possible. See IOM
910 and FMD
#64 for procedures on Epidemiological Investigations Alert Reporting Procedures.
- Botulism Antitoxin Shipments - CDC is responsible for maintaining and shipping
necessary supplies of botulinum antitoxin. When CDC makes a shipment of botulinum
antitoxin, CDC will immediately, regardless of the day or time, phone the
Emergency Operations (E.O.) Center, ORO, HFC-160, (301-443-1240). The E.O.
contact will immediately phone the consignee district to advise them of the
shipment.
- Outbreaks on Foreign Flag Vessels - If an outbreak involving a foreign
flag vessel or a US Flag vessel with an international itinerary comes to
your attention, report it to your supervisor immediately who will then report
it to EMOPS (301) 443-1240. This situation falls under the jurisdiction of
the Foreign Quarantine Section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Atlanta, Ga.
- Outbreaks Involving Interstate Conveyances - Reports of illness attributed
to travel on an interstate conveyance (plane, bus, train, or vessel) are
the responsibility of FDA.
When a report of illness is received, you are encouraged to share it with
state and local public health officials in case they received additional
illness reports. Additionally, the procedures outlined in this Subchapter
are to be followed including the following:
Interviews with the ill passenger, family members and/or physician (as applicable),
should be in-depth enough to hypothesize whether the carrier may be related
to the illness. Factors such as time of onset of symptoms, history of eating
suspect foods, and other potential exposures should be considered. The carrier
should also be contacted to determine whether other reports of illness have
been received. The information developed should be evaluated to determine
whether further follow-up is necessary (i.e., the carrier suspect ). On those
carriers where a reservation system is used, the names and phone numbers
of passengers should be obtained to determine if other individuals became
ill. It may be necessary to contact other passengers to determine if they
consumed any food or water on the trip, and if they became ill in the time
period associated with the original complaint. When a report of additional
related or similar illnesses is received, immediately contact the Emergency
Operations Center, ORO, HFC-160, (301) 443-1240 and relay the information.
Also contact the state epidemiologist of the affected state to report the
details of the illness. It may be advantageous to request assistance from
them in the epidemiological investigation, particularly if patient specimens
are needed to determine the cause.
Recently FDA revised the MOU between FDA and CDC regarding exchange of information
and coordination of actions. This MOU provides a framework for coordination
and collaborative efforts between the two agencies. It also provides the
principles and procedures by which information exchanges between FDA and
CDC will take place. The new memorandum supersedes the MOU between CDC and
FDA dated 4/1/82. When receiving a request for information from the CDC immediately
notify the Director of the Emergency Operations Center, HFC-160, (301) 443-1240
or (301) 827-5660.
"FDA and CDC agree that the following principles and procedures will govern the
exchange of nonpublic information between the two agencies. Although there is
no legal requirement the FDA and CDC exchange information in all cases, FDA and
CDC agree that there should be a presumption in favor of full and free sharing
of information between FDA and CDC. Both agencies recognize and acknowledge however
that it is essential that any confidential information that is shared between
FDA and CDC must be protected from unauthorized public disclosure. See e.g.,
21 USC sec. 331(j); 18 USC sec. 1905; 21 CFR Parts 20 and 21; 42 CFR Parts 5
and 5b; and, 42 USC sec. 301(d). Safeguards are important to protect the interests
of, among others, owners and submitters of trade secrets and confidential commercial
information; patient identities and other personal privacy information; privileged
and/or pre-decisional agency records; and information protected for national
security reasons. Any unauthorized disclosure of shared confidential information
by the agency receiving the information shall be the responsibility of that agency.
- Routine Requests for Information:
- The requesting agency must demonstrate, in writing, why it is necessary
for it to obtain the requested information.
- The agency receiving the request for information shall, based upon
the sufficiency of the need-to-know demonstration described in section
a.1. above, determine whether it is appropriate to share the requested
information with the requesting agency.
- The requesting agency agrees that:
- it shall limit the dissemination of shared information it receives
to internal agency offices and/or individuals that have been
identified in its written request and/or have a need-to-know;
- agree in writing not to publicly disclose any shared information
in any manner including publications and public meetings without
written permission of the agency that has shared the information;
- if the requesting agency receives a Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) request for the shared information, it will refer
the request to the information-sharing agency; and,
- it shall promptly notify the appropriate office of the information-sharing
agency when there is any attempt to obtain shared information
by compulsory process, including but not limited to a FOIA request,
subpoena, discovery request, or litigation complaint or motion.
- The agency that shares information with the requesting agency shall
include a transmittal letter, along with any agency records exchanged,
indicating the type of information.
- Emergency Requests for Confidential Information In cases in which the
requesting agency has a need to obtain certain information as soon as
possible due to emergency circumstances, such as a foodborne illness
outbreak, FDA and CDC may utilize the following procedures:
- The requesting agency shall indicate orally or in writing to the
agency in possession of the relevant information that it has the
need to obtain certain identifiable information as soon as possible
due to the existence of emergency circumstances and describe what
the emergency circumstances are.
- The requesting agency shall verbally agree to protect from unauthorized
public disclosure any and all information that is shared, according
to all applicable laws and regulations.
- The existence of an actual emergency situation shall warrant, as
determined by the agency in possession of the requested records,
the waiver of the need-to-know demonstration and determination described
above in section a1 and a2. However, once the requesting agency has
obtained the information it seeks, it shall comply with those procedures
set forth in section a3 above.
- Liaison Officers
- For FDA:
Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs
Contact: Ellen Morrison, Director EmergencyOperations Center
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane, HFC-160
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-1240 or (301) 827-5660
- For CDC:
Associate Director for Science
Dixie E. Snyder, MD
Centers for Disease Control
Public Health Service
Department of Health and Human Services
Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-7240
314.04 - Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
MOU with HCFA Concerning Blood Banking and Transfusion Programs.
314.05 - Health Services Administration (HSA)
MOU with HSA Concerning Quality Assurance for Drugs, Biologics, Chemicals
and Reagents Procured by HSA.
314.06 - National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
A MOU with NCHS Regarding Exchange of Information.
314.07 - National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
MOU's with:
- NIDA Regarding Mutual Responsibilities in Implementing the Jointly Published
Narcotic Addict Treatment Regulations.
- NIDA Concerning Cooperative Interaction in Expediting Domestic Scheduling
of Drugs of Abuse.
314.08 - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
MOU with:
- NIH Regarding Anticancer Drugs.
- NIH and USDA Regarding Importation of Biological Specimens under US/USSR
Scientific Exchange Agreement.
- NIH and APHIS Regarding the Care and Welfare of Laboratory Animals.
315 - DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
315.01 - U.S. Attorney
You may be contacted by the U.S. Attorney's office to discuss possible
or pending cases or other matters pertinent to FDA. Notify your supervisor
of these contacts. You may be accompanied by your supervisor or a compliance
officer. If you are contacted
by the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding any criminal issues, this is to
be referred immediately to the appropriate OCI Office .
During any discussion with the U.S. Attorney, inform him that you are qualified
to report the facts of whatever case or item being discussed, but inform him
that you are a fact witness only and not qualified as an "expert".
315.02 - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) (Formerly: Bureau of Narcotics)
You should follow the procedures outlined
in the Information
Disclosure manual if you receive a request to share information with
another Federal agency.
315.03 - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI, USDA and FDA are authorized to investigate reported tampering of
FDA regulated consumer products under the Federal Anti-Tampering Act (FATA),
Title 18, USC, Section 1365. In most cases, FDA's authority for such investigations
is also found in the FD&C Act.
USDA and the FBI share enforcement of the FATA with FDA as described below:
- FBI Responsibility - FDA understands that the FBI's primary response
in FATA matters will be to investigate particularly those cases that involve
a serious threat to human life or if a death has occurred. The FBI will also
investigate FATA matters involving threatened tamperings, and actual or threatened
tamperings coupled with an extortion demand.
The FBI will rely on FDA to determine if tampering with FDA products has
occurred.
- USDA Responsibility - The USDA will investigate and interact with the FBI
on tamperings with products regulated by USDA.
For complete information regarding FBI/FDA actions under FATA, see IOM
970.
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