The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of the U.S. and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China have agreed to establish a bilateral cooperative mechanism regarding food and feed safety.

HHS and AQSIQ understand the mutual benefits of protecting the public health through bilateral cooperation and exchange between them with regard to the safety of food and feed; appreciate their long-standing collaboration and the history of the AQSIQ registration and certification program; desire to continue to work together to protect the safety and health of consumers and animals in the United States and the customs territory of China to prevent, intervene,and respond to any safety issues related to food and feed exported from one country to another; and recognize that such cooperation can improve and promote the health of people in the United States and in China, and enhance confidence in safety of food and feed exported from one country to another.

Details of the agreement can be found at http://www.fda.gov/InternationalPrograms/Agreements/MemorandaofUnderstanding/ucm107557.htm.