Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-110

§1727a Eligible Countries

Title 7 › CHAPTER 41 — FOOD FOR PEACE › SUBCHAPTER III–A — FOOD FOR DEVELOPMENT › § 1727a

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

It explains which countries can get donated U.S. food. A country qualifies as "least developed" if it meets either the poverty criteria used by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for Civil Works Preference or if the Administrator decides it is a food‑deficit country with high malnutrition. To make that decision the Administrator must find all three: average daily calories per person are below 2300, the country cannot meet food needs because it lacks foreign exchange, and the under‑5 child mortality rate is over 100 per 1000 births. When deciding who gets food, priority goes to countries with the greatest need, the ability to use aid well, a clear commitment to reduce hunger (for example, lasting nutrition programs for people at risk), and a long-term plan for fair, sustainable development.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §1727a

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Least developed countries
A country shall be considered to be a least developed country and eligible for the donation of agricultural commodities under this subchapter if—
(1)such country meets the poverty criteria established by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for Civil Works Preference for providing financial assistance; or
(2)such country is a food deficit country and is characterized by high levels of malnutrition among significant numbers of its population, as determined by the Administrator under subsection (b).
(b)Indicators of food deficit countries
To make a finding under subsection (a)(2) that a country is a food deficit country and is characterized by high levels of malnutrition, the Administrator must determine that the country meets all of the following indicators of national food deficit and malnutrition:
(1)Calorie consumption
That the daily per capita calorie consumption of the country is less than 2300 calories.
(2)Food security requirements
That the country cannot meet its food security requirements through domestic production or imports due to a shortage of foreign exchange earnings.
(3)Child mortality rate
That the mortality rate of children under 5 years of age in the country is in excess of 100 per 1000 births.
(c)Priority
In determining whether and to what extent agricultural commodities shall be made available to least developed countries under this subchapter, the Administrator shall give priority to countries that—
(1)demonstrate the greatest need for food;
(2)demonstrate the capacity to use food assistance effectively;
(3)have demonstrated a commitment to policies to promote food security, including policies to reduce measurably hunger and malnutrition through efforts such as establishing and institutionalizing supplemental nutrition programs targeted to reach those who are nutritionally at risk; and
(4)have a long-term plan for broad-based, equitable, and sustainable development.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 302 of act July 10, 1954, ch. 469, title III, 68 Stat. 458, which amended section 1431 of this title, was renumbered section 309 by Pub. L. 95–88, title II, § 211(a)(1), Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 548.

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–624 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions setting out criteria for eligibility of developing countries for distribution of commodities, minimum aggregate value of agreements for such distribution, waiver of minimum, and participatory requirements. 1985—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–198 substituted “10” for “15” percent. Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 99–83 inserted “and of United States nonprofit voluntary agencies and cooperatives”. 1979—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 96–53 added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1990 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 101–624 effective Jan. 1, 1991, see section 1513 of Pub. L. 101–624, set out as a note under section 1691 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1985 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 99–83 effective Oct. 1, 1985, see section 1301 of Pub. L. 99–83, set out as a note under section 2151–1 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date

of 1979 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–53 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 512(a) of Pub. L. 96–53, set out as a note under section 2151 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 215 of Pub. L. 95–88, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1977 Amendment note under section 1702 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 1727a

Title 7, Agriculture

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110