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Title 21, Food and DrugsRelease 119-110

§384c Inspection of Foreign Food Facilities

Title 21 › CHAPTER 9 — FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT › SUBCHAPTER VIII — IMPORTS AND EXPORTS › § 384c

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can make deals with foreign governments to help inspect foreign food facilities registered under section 350d. The Secretary must send resources to inspect foreign facilities, suppliers, and kinds of food that are identified as high risk to help keep the U.S. food supply safe. If the owner, operator, agent in charge, or the foreign government refuses to let U.S. inspectors or people the Secretary names enter a factory, warehouse, or similar place, food from that place must be refused entry into the United States. A refusal includes not allowing an inspection within 24 hours after the request, unless a different time is agreed with the Secretary.

Full Legal Text

Title 21, §384c

Food and Drugs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Inspection
The Secretary—
(1)may enter into arrangements and agreements with foreign governments to facilitate the inspection of foreign facilities registered under section 350d of this title; and
(2)shall direct resources to inspections of foreign facilities, suppliers, and food types, especially such facilities, suppliers, and food types that present a high risk (as identified by the Secretary), to help ensure the safety and security of the food supply of the United States.
(b)Effect of inability to inspect
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, food shall be refused admission into the United States if it is from a foreign factory, warehouse, or other establishment of which the owner, operator, or agent in charge, or the government of the foreign country, refuses to permit entry of United States inspectors or other individuals duly designated by the Secretary, upon request, to inspect such factory, warehouse, or other establishment. For purposes of this subsection, such an owner, operator, or agent in charge shall be considered to have refused an inspection if such owner, operator, or agent in charge does not permit an inspection of a factory, warehouse, or other establishment during the 24-hour period after such request is submitted, or after such other time period, as agreed upon by the Secretary and the foreign factory, warehouse, or other establishment.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Construction

Nothing in this section to be construed to apply to certain alcohol-related facilities, to alter jurisdiction and authorities established under certain other Acts, or in a manner inconsistent with international agreements to which the United States is a party, see section 2206, 2251, and 2252 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

21 U.S.C. § 384c

Title 21, Food and Drugs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110