In Agreement With FDA, USDA Retains DPA Authority Over Food Facilities

A new agreement between FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture solidifies USDA’s authority to invoke the Defense Production Act to force food harvesting, processing and manufacturing facilities, including plants typically regulated by FDA, to remain open during COVID-19, one food industry lawyer told Inside Health Policy . It’s unclear, the lawyer added, how a DPA order would play out, especially if facilities simply don’t have enough manpower to stay open. And a senior official with the United Fresh Produce...