ALBANY - New York is the first state in the nation to meet, and in many areas exceed, nationally recognized food protection program standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. New York was among five states asked by the federal government to pilot a new federal program designed to achieve uniformity and consistency between state and federal regulatory agencies for manufactured foods.

The Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards were initiated by FDA to bring about the adoption of more uniform, equivalent, and high quality regulatory programs by state and federal government agencies responsible for regulating facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food under FDA’s jurisdiction.

“Safeguarding our food supply is one of the most basic and important responsibilities government has,” said Governor Paterson. “By completing this program before any other state in the country, it proves that New York’s standards are on par with those at the federal level, and in some instances, exceed them. The residents of New York State should feel comfortable knowing that we have such a capable food safety unit here that works as proactively and diligently as they do to protect them.”